Marcus Smart has started 15 out of a possible 22 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025-26 season. Despite that, his inclusion among the first five comes across more circumstantial than anything else.
When everyone has been available, Smart was been a bench player. The preferred starting lineup that JJ Redick has turned to this season has included Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. The limitations of that group have become painfully obvious.
Assuming a clean bill of health for everyone, four of those five guys should have their starting spots locked up.