The Lakers coming up short in their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, who’s joining the Timberwolves, will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of their roster.
One of the biggest questions moving forward: Who will be the Lakers’ fifth starter once the 2026-27 season starts?
If Kuminga was on the roster, he would’ve been in the first unit alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler and presumed starter Quentin Grimes.
But with Kuminga headed to Minnesota, there’s a glaring hole in the depth chart with a month before training camp starts.
Who should be considered for the final starting spot, and who should ultimately have the edge?
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Along with Reaves, Grimes and Kessler, Mamukelashvili was one of four players who the Lakers signed to four-year deals with player options for the 2029-30 season, which highlights how much the Lakers value him.
And it’s easy to see why.
Mamukelashvili has emerged as a reliable three-level scorer, good passer and strong rebounder after playing for the Bucks, Spurs and Raptors since being the No. 54 pick in the 2021 draft.
Coming off of a career-year with the Raptors in which his scoring average (11.2 points), field goal percentage (52.3%), assists average (1.9), steals average (.8) and blocks average (.5) with Toronto in 2025-26 were all career-best marks, Mamukelashvili has a blend of offensive skills that’s unique for his size (6-foot-9, 240 pounds).
Coach JJ Redick said after the 2025-26 season ended that the Lakers needed to be better with dribbling, passing and shooting. Mamukelashvili helps in all of those areas as a big man who can pass, run the floor, dribble and shoot at a high level.
At 27 years old and entering his sixth season in the NBA, Mamukelashvili should be entering the prime of his career.
Jake LaRavia
LaRavia, along with Doncic, Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt, is one of just four players who finished in the top-11 in total regular season minutes played from the 2025-26 team that’s on the roster entering this season.
Even when he struggled (he shot a career-low 32.1% on 3-pointers), LaRavia still received consistent playing time (career-high 25.1 minutes per game in 82 games).
He brings value as a connector with his passing, cutting and defensive versatility without needing consistent offensive touches.
At 24 years old (he turns 25 in November) and entering his fifth season in the league, LaRavia should have room to grow in multiple areas.
Ziaire Williams
Williams’ appeal starts with his physical profile: he’s 6-foot-9 with a good lateral quickness for his size.
In light of Williams telling the Southern California News Group that he’s bulked up to “about 215 pounds” after being listed at 185 pounds last season, he should be able to credibly guard bigger forwards better compared to previous years.
Perimeter defense and versatility is Williams’ calling card.
But his 3-point shooting is the swing skill, after he knocked down a career-high 34.3% of his 3s last season.
Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle is the best perimeter defender among these four players.
His 2 steals per game last season was tied for the second-most in the league with Hawks wing Dyson Daniels and Pistons wing Ausar Thompson among players who appeared in at least 20 regular season games despite averaging just 16 minutes.
And he led the league in steals (4.5) and deflections (8.7) per 36 minutes in 2025–26 among players who appeared in at least 20 games.
His length (7-foot wingspan on a 6-foot-5, 202-pound frame), motor and reflexes at his size has helped him remain one of the league’s most disruptive perimeter defenders despite being limited to 45 regular season games over the last two seasons.
And he’s worked to become an improved 3-point shooting, shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc after he joined the Trail Blazers in February 2023.
Among these four options, LaRavia is the best for the final starting spot.
LaRavia may not bring the offensive versatility that Mamukelashvili does, and may not be as good of a perimeter defender as Thybulle, but he’s a better defender than Mamukelashvili and has more experience guarding bigger forwards than Thybulle.
He has the size and defensive versatility the Lakers need from their fifth starter while also adding the connective offensive skills the Lakers need from his position.
The familiarity of playing alongside Doncic and Reaves is a bonus.
After LaRavia, Williams would be the next-best option in the first unit.
But entering camp, LaRavia should be penciled in as the Lakers’ fifth starter.
