Throughout the Lakers preseason, fans have gotten a glimpse of how well the team has come together, from varying strengths and weaknesses to potential rotations employed by Head Coach Darvin Ham. Another constant—or so it seems—is the team’s rumored fifth starter: veteran wing Taurean Prince.
How has Prince impressed the Lakers’ coaching staff so far, and how could he effectively fulfill his role in the starting five?
Taurean Prince: The Lakers’ Missing Starter
Background
For the past seven seasons, Prince has been known as a 3-and-D marksman. He holds career averages of 10.4 points per game on 42% shooting from the field, 37% from three and 81% from the free-throw line. The last time Prince was a full-time starter was in the 2017-18 season with the Atlanta Hawks. After starting all 82 games, he finished with an average of 14.1 points (career-high) on .426/.385/.844 splits.
After competing against LeBron James and Anthony Davis over the past few years, Prince now hopes to “try to add on my dynamics to that…and help them be the best they can be and see what happens.”
So far, Prince has emerged as a pleasant surprise for the Lakers. In the team’s five preseason games, Prince has averaged 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1 steal per contest. He has shot 56% from the field, 47% from deep and 85% from the free-throw line. His best game came on Friday, when he recorded 17 points (5-6 FG, 4-5 3PT) against the Golden State Warriors.
Where Taurean Prince Makes His Mark
The numbers show that Prince is a deadeye from distance, but a deeper look into the numbers shows how efficient he can be with LA.
In terms of spots, Prince has proven he can be automatic from anywhere. Last season, he shot 43.4% on corner threes and 34.5% above the break. He also drained 42% of his midrange attempts last year, showing he can play well inside the arc, too.
Prince has excelled when shooting off the catch, draining 41% of those threes last season. In terms of spot-up shooting, he shot 46% from the field and generated 1.08 points per possession (4.1 PPG). Most importantly, Prince shot 37.8% on pull-up jumpers last year—a vital skill in transition. His ability to finish perimeter plays is important, as most of his career threes (89%) have been assisted.
Emphasizing his impact on these plays is key, since LeBron and the Lakers will likely rely on Prince in these situations. With such talented facilitators in James, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent, Prince won’t be called upon to create his own shots or get his defenders on an island. He will only have to worry about succeeding off the ball, getting to his spots and knocking down shots.
Prince’s Versatility
Prince’s excellent shooting coupled with his 6-foot-7 frame has allowed Ham to experiment with several lineups. In Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he placed Prince at shooting guard, a departure from his typical front court role.
A giant lineup with Prince at the 2, Rui at the 3 and two centers. https://t.co/okkHf0ztys
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 15, 2023
Prince’s ability to play three positions bodes well for the Lakers. While mixing and matching certain combinations, having Prince at the 2 holds several advantages. He can use his height and length to shoot over opponents while disrupting the perimeter on defense. Prince playing shooting guard may not be a common occurrence, but it’s still an intriguing option. It’s been a while since the Lakers have had a role player fit well at three different spots, an underrated benefit of Prince’s addition.
Reunion with D’Angelo Russell
Finally, one of the biggest positives of having Prince on the Lakers is his familiarity with D’Angelo Russell. The duo spent most of the last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before D’Lo returned to LA.
In 33 games last year (though only 9.1 MPG), the duo recorded 20.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game on .453/.343/.739 splits. Throughout training camp and preseason, it feels as though no time has passed between them. Both Russell and Prince have fulfilled their roles well. The chemistry between them is a microcosm of the team’s overall camaraderie—something else Lakers fans can look forward to. Prince’s comfortability with Russell is a promising sign heading into the year, especially with the latter reprising his starting role and the responsibility that comes with it.
The Last Word on Taurean Prince and the Lakers
Though Darvin Ham still has the potential to pull a lineup out of thin air, current signs point to Taurean Prince as the team’s fifth starter, and rightfully so.
Fans may also be wondering why Rui Hachimura or Christian Wood are not getting more consideration as starting candidates. Hachimura had great chemistry with the key Lakers in last year’s playoff run. Wood, though an NBA journeyman, recently gained momentum as a solid starter on poor teams. But for now, both of them appear content and willing to contribute off the bench. Hachimura will act as LA’s sixth man, while Wood stays ready for two-big lineups next to AD.
All in all, Prince is a safe bet as the Lakers’ missing piece in the lead lineup. His standout performances, track record as a reliable 3-and-D wing, and aforementioned ability to play 2-4 all work out in his favor. Ham and the Lakers seem sold on Prince, clearly set on starting him next to the King.
