Lakers 2018/19 Lineup? NBA 2K19 Provides Hint Of What To Expect

EA Sports video game NBA 2K19 is set to release Sept. 11 (pre-orders can get it four days earlier) and they may have provided a clue as to how the Los Angeles Lakers will line up in the upcoming season.

The Lakers have undergone drastic roster changes over the summer, but to their benefit, they landed the best player in the league in LeBron James, who last month signed a four-year deal.

At least one more star player was expected to join James at the Staples Center, with reports linking both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to the team, which in turn, would have created a new super team.

However, things did not pan out. George became a free agent but proceeded to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs were demanding too much for Leonard, who had one year remaining on his contract, so Los Angeles decided to wait another year when he is free to join any team of his choosing. Leonard would eventually join the Toronto Raptors.

With their plans of creating a new super team halted at least for another year, the Lakers went in another direction. Opting to keep their young assets such as Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram instead of trading them to San Antonio, the Lakers proceeded to add a number of longtime veterans to the roster.

The likes of Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson all signed one-year deals to add experience to a young Lakers side guided by James. Signing them on one-year deals also allows the 16-time champions to clear them out for cap space in preparation for the free agent class next year.

It means for the upcoming season, they have a unique roster filled with loads of characters who are almost certainly expected to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. And although they are only expected to contend, ESPN projects them having their best shot of making the NBA Finals since 2012 with five percent.

So what can their starting lineup be when they open the season against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 17? 2K19 may have given a clue, according to NBA writer Tomer Azarly.

While this won't confirm head coach Luke Walton's starting lineup, Kuzma, rated 80, and Ball (rating not released yet) are interestingly not part of the lineup. Ball's season was cut short due to injury so that may be a factor, however, that hasn't seemed to affect DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors.

Cousins signed a one-year deal with the Warriors last month, but has been out of action since January after tearing his Achilles tendon. He is expected to return in the Christmas period at the earliest.

Regardless, 2K19 has him replacing the now-departed McGee on the starting lineup of the reigning champions.

While it's possible the Lakers may look toward the experience of Rondo over Ball, these are still projections, and various changes can be expected as the season progresses.