Los Angeles Lakers starting 5 vs. Golden State Warriors predictions without LeBron James

The NBA season is about to begin, and the Los Angeles Lakers will open the season against the Golden State Warriors.

However, the LA Lakers received some alarming news approximately two weeks before tipoff on October 21, 2025.

Superstar LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-26 season after suffering a back injury.

James previously missed the Lakers’ offseason activities due to fitness concerns, making this setback particularly concerning.

Head coach JJ Redick will have to build a starting lineup without LeBron for the game against the Warriors.

The Lakers’ roster depth compared to last season should help them absorb LeBron’s absence, especially with the presence of Luka Doncic who can lead the offense.

Considering the Warriors’ multiple offensive threats, Jared Vanderbilt would be an ideal replacement for this particular matchup. His defensive versatility will address the challenges Golden State faces.

The optimal lineup would be Luka Doncic at point guard, Austin Reeves at shooting guard, Rui Hachimura at small forward, Vanderbilt at power forward, and Deandre Ayton at center.

This configuration provides a balance between offensive ability and defensive stability.

But if Redick prefers to gamble with small-ball lineups, Marcus Smart provides an interesting alternative, especially if the Warriors deploy a similar strategy.

The former Boston Celtics guard could potentially take the shooting guard spot, moving Reaves to small forward and Hachimura to power forward.

If Redick prioritizes shooting, Jake LaRavia provides another option. Combining LaRavia and Reaves creates a dual sniper lineup that maximizes perimeter spacing.

The Lakers want James healthy, but his absence presents a valuable opportunity for Redick.

This situation allows him to assess which players he can trust in different scenarios and roles, and build deep knowledge that could be important later in the season.