Lakers News: Los Angeles Unveils Its Starting 5 For Tonight's Crucial Magic Match
Your Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to right the ship at home tonight against a rebuilding Orlando Magic club that, unfortunately for LA, could totally eke out a win thanks to having two of the best three players on the floor.
2022 No. 1 draft pick Paolo Banchero, the likely Rookie of the Year this season, already looks like an All-Star in the making, averaging 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals a night. 2021 No. 7 draft pick Franz Wagner seems to be on a similar trajectory. At 29-42, it's clear Orlando is hoping to add another high-level prospect in this year's draft, and would be happy to cough up a few losses down its season's home stretch.
Lakers center Anthony Davis, however, is the best player available to play tonight, a happy update from his earlier "probable" designation as he continues to manage his right foot stress injury that kept him on the sidelines for five-and-a-half weeks earlier this year.
AD will be surrounded by four familiar faces. Point guard D'Angelo Russell and shooting guard Malik Beasley comprise the team's starting backcourt, Troy Brown Jr. will continue to start for ailing All-Star LeBron James, and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt will join Davis in the Lakers' defense-heavy frontcourt.
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