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The Los Angeles Lakers now have a pretty deep roster.
But while that presents them with plenty of opportunities, it also means that head coach Darvin Ham has some tough choices to make.
Jovan Buha, courtesy of NBACentral, is reporting that newcomer Taurean Prince is a “serious candidate” to become a starter for the team when the season tips off in a few weeks.
Prince may start games in a lineup consisting of him, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Buha wrote:
“The Lakers have been mixing up their lineups in scrimmages, experimenting with different players at small forward. Vanderbilt was the primary fifth starter on the first day, with Prince being more involved with the starters on the second day, according to team sources.”
Taurean Prince is a serious candidate to start next to D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, per @jovanbuha
“The Lakers have been mixing up their lineups in scrimmages, experimenting with different players at small forward. Vanderbilt was the primary… pic.twitter.com/gr9hq5oSON
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 5, 2023
Prince was one of the many players the Lakers acquired in their very busy offseason.
During his last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the forward averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
For the last few seasons, he hasn’t had a starting role on his teams.
But it sounds as if he may have proven himself to Ham and the coaching staff and could be stepping up.
His position would be a very important one because he would be working closely with Davis.
Davis has fluctuated between being the team’s center and power forward over the years.
He has stated that he prepares to play as a power forward, although Ham often utilizes him as a center.
If Prince is in the starting lineup, Davis will definitely work as the center.
Nothing is set in stone right now because the Lakers have quite a few players to choose from.
But right now it sounds like Prince could be a crucial part of the team in the new season.
The post Lakers Reportedly Have A ‘Serious Candidate’ To Be Fifth Starter appeared first on The Cold Wire.