Lakers Starters vs Bench: A Big Scoring Imbalance
The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly developed one of the most extreme scoring splits in the NBA. They currently boast the highest-scoring starting lineup in the league, averaging 94.3 points per game, while also ranking dead last in bench scoring at just 24.68 points per game.
It’s a fascinating contrast, and one that could end up defining their ceiling this season.
The Best Starting Lineup in Basketball
The Lakers’ starting unit has been nothing short of dominant offensively.
At the center of it all are Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who remain the highest-scoring duo in the entire NBA, not just among backcourts, but across the league. Every defense knows where the offense is coming from, and it hasn’t mattered.
LeBron James, meanwhile, is averaging 17 points per game and is clearly still ramping up as the season progresses. He hasn’t needed to force offense, which has helped the Lakers maintain flow and efficiency.
Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton have filled their roles perfectly. Rui has been a reliable scorer who punishes mismatches, while Ayton’s efficiency and paint presence give the Lakers easy points without needing extra touches.
When this group is on the floor, the Lakers look overwhelming.
The League’s Lowest-Scoring Bench
Once the starters sit, the picture changes dramatically.
The Lakers currently have the lowest-scoring bench unit in the NBA, and it shows. There is no true offensive focal point with the second unit.
- Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent can be streaky shooters, but their primary value comes defensively.
- Jake LaRavia hasn’t been able to sustain the elite efficiency he flashed during a brief two-game stretch.
- Jaxson Hayes has been excellent as a backup center; energy, rim runs, finishing, but he isn’t someone you can run offense through.
- Jarred Vanderbilt brings elite defensive impact but virtually no offensive threat, allowing defenses to ignore him.
As a result, opposing teams survive non-Luka minutes far too comfortably.
A Potential Solution: Rui to the Bench
One possible adjustment would be moving Rui Hachimura to the bench and starting Marcus Smart or Jarred Vanderbilt, depending on the matchup.
This wouldn’t be a demotion, far from it. Rui would instantly become the primary scoring option for the second unit, giving the bench a real offensive identity while preserving spacing and flow.
It mirrors Phil Jackson’s decision to bring Lamar Odom off the bench, famously telling him: “This is not a demotion. You’re not a bench player. You’re a finisher.” Rui could fill that same role, stabilizing lineups, attacking weaker defenders, and closing games when needed.
Should the Lakers start Marcus Smart? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/IwbVy9CbAu
— ReavesMuse (@MuseReaves) November 20, 2025
Why Balance Matters Going Forward
Right now, the Lakers are leaning heavily on their starters to do almost everything offensively. That works in the regular season, but over time, and especially in the playoffs, that imbalance can become a problem.
The Lakers have elite top-end firepower. What they need now is lineup balance, so that the offense doesn’t completely stall the moment Luka checks out.
How they solve that, whether through rotation tweaks or roster moves, may ultimately determine how far this team goes.
