LA Lakers starting lineup for NBA season 2023-24: All players listed
The LA Lakers will be part of the opening night of the NBA for another season as they take on the reigning champions Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The 17-time champions want to make a step forward this year and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the title in 2020.
Los Angeles made significant moves this offseason by keeping core players with new deals (Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves). They also bolstered their roster with decent role players like Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood.
Based on what was seen from the franchise in the summer, they should be placed among the favorites for the title should they remain healthy. On that note, let's take a look at the Lakers' starting lineup and depth chart heading into the start of the 2023-24 season.
LA Lakers' starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season
The starting lineup of the Lakers is expected to feature D'Angelo Russell (PG), Austin Reaves (SG), Taurean Prince (SF), LeBron James (PF) and Anthony Davis (C).
Even though Rui Hachimura became a starter last season, coach Darvin Ham revealed that the plan is for the Japanese forward to come off the bench this season.
Hence, they could go with Taurean Prince as the starting forward, with Ham also adding that Prince will start against the Nuggets in the season opener.
Their depth chart is as follows:
Darvin Ham places Lakers among title contenders for 2023-24 season
Darvin Ham and the Lakers are preparing for the start of the season on Tuesday against the reigning champions Denver Nuggets. After a trip to the Western Conference Finals and a sweep by the Nuggets, LA wants to dethrone Denver and return to the top.
Their offseason moves have shown their intention to go all the way, and Darvin Ham has placed his team among the title contenders for the 2023-24 season.
"I’m one that loves competition. I’m a fan first. It’s going to be fun. I look forward to these matchups. I look forward to the potential of seeing some great NBA basketball this year, particularly in the Western Conference," Darvin Ham told media, via Silver Screen and Roll.
"There are probably about a good eight teams that are legitimate contenders for that ultimate prize. I’m just happy, at this point in time, I like our chances better than anybody’s. It’s going to be a fight."
To maintain their title-contending status, the 17-time NBA champions have to be healthy, but that's not the case for their season opener.
Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to miss the game due to a heel injury and the same goes for Jalen Hood-Schifino, who's dealing with a knee injury. Gabe Vincent (back tightness) should be good to go.
For their part, the Nuggets have a full roster available, aside from forward Vlatko Cancar, who's out for the season after knee surgery.