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Lakers' non-LeBron starters to be determined during training camp

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's difficult to tell which of the Los Angeles Lakers' awkward assortment of players will start beside LeBron James.

The Lakers will be crowded at several positions, where they have a bevy of young stars and battle-tested veterans competing for minutes. However, it seems that head coach Luke Walton has a plan to determine his starting lineup.

"We're really excited about camp this year because Luke (Walton) has decided ... we're going to have an incredibly competitive camp and all the spots are going to be open spots, putting aside LeBron James, obviously," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said, according to Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Bresnahan.

There are also questions surrounding the team's new personalities, and how Walton will be able to manage them. Rajon Rondo has repeatedly butted heads with his coaches, Lance Stephenson blew air into James' ear during a playoff game, and JaVale McGee is known as the "Shaqtin' A Fool" MVP.

However, Pelinka believes nobody is more qualified to handle these personalities than the Lakers' head coach.

"One of the things I said to Luke was 'one of your greatest strengths as a coach is managing player personalities,'" Pelinka said. "I think he's the perfect guy to keep this locker room unified."

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