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HOUSTON — The Lakers have been honest about having a “playoff mentality” during the final stretch of the regular season — evident in their play during the six-game winning streak they entered Wednesday’s matchup against the Rockets.
The last few weeks, with the team having a healthy roster in most of their games since the All-Star break, have also made it clear who’ll be in the rotation once the playoffs start.
Here’s a projection of the Lakers’ 2026 postseason rotation:
Starters
Luka Doncic
Austin Reaves
Marcus Smart
LeBron James
Deandre Ayton
This has been the Lakers’ first unit since getting fully healthy, and there’s no reason for it to change before the playoffs.
This starting group has the third-best net rating (plus-9.9) among Lakers lineups that’ve played at least 100 possessions, according to Cleaning The Glass, and is among the most balanced units the team can deploy.
Doncic, Reaves and James all averaged at least 39 minutes during last season’s five-game first-round loss to the Timberwolves.
Even if the Lakers make it out of the first round, or at least extend their opening series to beyond five games, expect Doncic and Reaves to hover around 40 minutes per game and James to come in at the highs 30s.
Smart can be penciled in around 32-34 minutes.
Among the starters, Ayton is the biggest wild card from a playing-time perspective — he could play anywhere from 25-35 minutes depending on the matchup and his individual performance. Putting him at 28 minutes is in line with his playing time during the regular season.
Bench players
Rui Hachimura: Hachimura has been the Lakers’ sixth man in 2026, sometimes averaging more minutes than Ayton off the bench during stretches of the season.
Along with Luke Kennard, Hachimura has been one of the Lakers’ best 3-point shooters. And at 6-foot-8, he can credibly defend multiple frontcourt positions.
Expect for Hachimura to play the most among Lakers bench players and don’t be surprised if he closes games depending on the matchup and Ayton’s performance.
Luke Kennard: As the player with the best 3-point shooting percentage in the league, Kennard has provided a significant boost to the offense.
Statistically, he raises the ceiling of the team’s offense more than any other player on the roster.
But the team struggles defensively just as much as it thrives offensively while Kennard is on the floor.
During the games he’s knocking down shots, Kennard could play as many as 24-26 minutes in the playoffs. But during the games he isn’t, he could also come in around 14-16 minutes and be a two-shift player.
Jaxson Hayes: The 7-foot Hayes has been a consistent part of the bench since the start of the season, playing at least 10 minutes in every game he’s finished healthy.
If Ayton isn’t producing at the level he’s capable of, or the small-ball lineups aren’t as viable depending on the matchup, Hayes has shown he can scale up his play with more minutes.
Jake LaRavia: LaRavia and Hayes have comfortably been the Lakers’ eighth and ninth players in the rotation since the break. LaRavia’s best chances of playing more would come if the Lakers rely on more center-less lineups or his 3-point shot is falling.
Closing lineup
Doncic
Reaves
Smart
James
Ayton
Ayton has been established as the team’s X-factor.
If he’s playing at the level he’s expected to, he brings a combination of physical tools and skill that nobody else on the roster has.
But if he’s not, don’t be surprised if the Lakers close games with a center-less group that swaps Ayton for Hachimura. Hayes would be third in line as a closer if the Lakers need a big man on the floor.
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