The Los Angeles Lakers fifth starter is considered to be somewhat of a flexible spot. Taurean Prince will get the first shot at filling the role on opening night. Prince was signed by Los Angeles as a free agent this offseason.
Prince will join holdover LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell in the starting lineup against the Denver Nuggets. However, Lakers coach Darvin Ham cautioned reading too much into that.
Ham said Prince starting was "circumstantial". Jarred Vanderbilt remains in the mix to reclaim the starting role he had after joining Los Angeles at last season's trade deadline. Ham said Vanderbilt is out for the opener "in all likelihood" due to a heel injury.