Lakers’ Dream Starting Five for Summer 2025: Luka Doncic at PG, Austin Reaves at SG, LeBron James at SF, Lauri Markkanen at PF, and……
Lakers’ Dream Starting Five for Summer 2025: Luka Doncic at PG, Austin Reaves at SG, LeBron James at SF, Lauri Markkanen at PF, and… Anthony Davis at Center
The Los Angeles Lakers have never been shy about chasing stars, and their dream starting five for the summer of 2025 proves it. Headlining this hypothetical yet tantalizing lineup is Luka Dončić at point guard, a franchise-altering playmaker with MVP-caliber talent. Slotting next to him is the versatile and increasingly reliable Austin Reaves, while the evergreen LeBron James holds down the small forward spot. The addition of Lauri Markkanen at power forward adds a new dimension of floor spacing and size. And finally, anchoring this superstar-laden group at center is none other than Anthony Davis.
Let’s break it down.
Luka Dončić (PG)
Landing Luka Dončić would represent a seismic shift in the Lakers’ fortunes. A generational talent with the ability to control every aspect of the game, Luka brings elite shot creation, vision, and scoring. At just 26 years old by the summer of 2025, he would be entering the peak of his powers. Dončić’s presence would take significant playmaking pressure off LeBron James and allow the Lakers’ offense to flow with a level of sophistication and unpredictability rarely seen.
Austin Reaves (SG)
Reaves has proven himself to be much more than an undrafted underdog. His combination of basketball IQ, shooting, and gritty defense makes him an ideal glue guy in a star-studded lineup. As a secondary ball-handler who can score efficiently and make plays, Reaves thrives in high-pressure moments, and his game has continued to evolve each season. His chemistry with both LeBron and Davis is already well established, and with Luka in the mix, Reaves’ ability to play off the ball becomes even more valuable.
LeBron James (SF)
At 40, LeBron James would still be one of the most intelligent and impactful players on the court—though likely in a more selective role. In this dream lineup, LeBron wouldn’t need to carry the full offensive load, which would help preserve his legs for the postseason. With Dončić orchestrating and Markkanen stretching the floor, LeBron’s strengths—transition play, mismatches, and off-ball movement—would be maximized. Defensively, he’d continue to provide leadership and versatility.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Bringing in Lauri Markkanen would be a strategic masterstroke. A true 7-footer with a knockdown three-point shot and mobility, Markkanen adds spacing that Davis has long needed next to him in the frontcourt. His ability to play inside-out allows the Lakers to stretch the floor without sacrificing size. Markkanen also brings underrated rebounding and defensive versatility. In this lineup, he could flourish as a third or fourth scoring option—capable of punishing smaller defenders and spacing the court against bigger ones.
Anthony Davis (C)
The final piece—and perhaps the most critical—is Anthony Davis at center. Despite his preference to play power forward, Davis has consistently been more effective and more valuable to the team when anchoring the middle. With Markkanen next to him, Davis wouldn’t have to stretch himself offensively, allowing him to focus on dominating the paint defensively, protecting the rim, and running the floor. His two-way prowess would be the defensive backbone of this dream unit.
Together, this starting five offers the ideal blend of youth, experience, versatility, and star power. It’s a dream scenario—but in L.A., dreams often feel just within reach.
