The Los Angeles Lakers are making moves. With LeBron James announcing that he will not return in free agency as teams scramble to get his signature for possibly the last time, the Lakers have fully handed the keys to Luka Doncic and also re-signed Austin Reaves to a $185M contract.
The Lakers wasted no time building around their new superstar, acquiring Walker Kessler and signing a four-year, $130 million contract to solve one of the biggest weaknesses they have had for years: finding an impactful starting center. No doubt, Walker Kessler is an upgrade over Deandre Ayton, who will likely play a suitable role as a backup.
Kessler gives Los Angeles exactly what it has been searching for since he can dominate the glass, block shots, and provide defensive resistance.
But the Lakers haven’t stopped there. They have signed scoring guard Collin Sexton (2-year, $19M), two-way wing Quentin Grimes (4-year, $60M), and Sandro Mamukelashvili (4-year, $52M) to boost their lineup even if Marcus Smart rejected his player option.
These signings should make life considerably easier for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the dynamic duo of the new-look Lakers.
While the roster still has room for improvement on the wing, the Lakers already look like one of the deeper teams in the Western Conference.
Lakers Projected Starting Five:
Point Guard – Luka Doncic
Shooting Guard – Austin Reaves
Small Forward – Quentin Grimes
Power Forward – Jarred Vanderbilt
Center – Walker Kessler
Point Guard: Luka Doncic
Everything now revolves around the Slovenian superstar. With LeBron James‘ departure, Doncic becomes the unquestioned face of the franchise and one of the favorites to win the MVP award.
Luka had a sensational season in 2025-26, posting 33.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 0.5 BPG on 47.6% FG, 36.6% 3-PT FG, and 78.0% FT in 64 games. He won the scoring title, made the All-Star Team, and made the All-NBA First Team. He also finished 4th in MVP voting.
His passing should work with Walker Kessler in one of the NBA’s most dangerous pick-and-roll combos. Of course, Luka will generate open looks for his shooters as well, especially Austin Reaves.
Luka will love the interior defensive presence as well. Kessler’s rim protection helps Luka focus on dominating the offense while trusting the big man behind him to erase mistakes. Luka is gunning for MVP next season, and we can’t wait to see the numbers he puts up.
Shooting Guard: Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves got his money, and he is ready to prove himself as a potential first-time All-Star next season.
Reaves was already All-Star-caliber last year, posting 23.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 0.4 BPG on 49.0% FG, 36.0% 3-PT FG, and 87.1% FT in 51 games.
His ability to score from all three levels as a secondary playmaker makes him the perfect complement to Doncic. With defenses constantly focusing on Luka, Reaves should continue seeing plenty of open perimeter opportunities while taking another step as one of the NBA’s better offensive guards.
His chemistry with Doncic will only become more important as the Lakers transition into life after LeBron.
Small Forward: Quentin Grimes
Newcomer Quentin Grimes will be in the starting lineup as a floor spacer and team defender. Grimes had a strong season in 2024-25, averaging 13.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.4 BPG on 45.0% FG, 33.4% 3-PT FG, and 84.0% FT in 75 games.
Obviously, he doesn’t need to score 20 points per game to make an impact. Instead, his job is to knock down open threes and defend multiple positions. Playing next to Luka and Reaves should produce the easiest offensive opportunities of his career.
No doubt, Grimes could have a strong impact for the Lakers. Still, we expect the Lakers to try to push Grimes by developing their wing position depth.
Power Forward: Jarred Vanderbilt
Until changes happen, Jarred Vanderbilt is the trusted power forward for now. He was decent last season, averaging 4.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.3 BPG on 47.1% FG, 29.3% 3-PT FG, and 58.9% FT in 65 games played.
Vando’s versatility allows him to guard virtually every position while taking pressure off Luka and Reaves defensively. Vanderbilt’s rebounding and hustle also complement Kessler perfectly. The Lakers, especially JJ Redick, are hoping Vanderbilt crashes the boards hard and has the best season of his career.
Center: Walker Kessler
The Lakers finally have their long-term center. This is a huge pickup, because the big man posted 14.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.8 BPG on 70.3% FG in 5 games last season. The year prior, he averaged 11.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, and 2.4 BPG in 58 games.
Kessler is easily one of basketball’s best rim protectors and rebounders. His shot-blocking instincts transform the Lakers’ interior defense overnight, while his efficiency around the basket makes him the ideal pick-and-roll partner for Luka and Reaves.
He doesn’t need JJ Redick calling plays for him. Setting screens, finishing lobs, protecting the rim, and dominating the boards are exactly what Los Angeles has needed for years. The Lakers have one of the best all-around centers in the NBA right now.
Bench
Collin Sexton, Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Deandre Ayton
The bench is looking very solid so far. Collin Sexton leads the charge as a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate after he posted 15.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 0.1 BPG on 48.5% FG, 40.1% 3-PT FG, and 85.5% FT in 68 games. Sexton will be required to shoot the ball, attack the rim, and be a forceful bench presence. For the Lakers, he is a tremendous pickup.
Bronny James’ future might be up in the air, but he is still developing as a two-way guard (2.9 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 1.2 APG in 2025-26) capable of defending opposing ball handlers while improving his perimeter shooting. Assuming he stays with the Lakers and with less pressure following LeBron’s departure, he’ll have the opportunity to earn minutes through his own performance.
Dalton Knecht adds perimeter shooting off the bench. His confidence as a scorer gives the second unit another reliable offensive weapon, although he might need more trust to shine. He posted 4.2 PPG on 34.2% 3-PT FG last season, but averaged 9.1 PPG on 37.6% from deep his rookie season. He can shoot it, but needs to feel wanted as a former No. 17 overall pick.
Jake LaRavia, 24, will be trying to force his way into the starting lineup after posting 8.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG on 45.9% FG, 32.1% 3-PT FG, and 76.3% FT. He defends, can make shots when open, and plays hard. LaRavia needs to prove himself to JJ Redick to get heavy minutes in a talented team.
Adou Thiero, 22, brings physicality and defensive energy. His athleticism gives the Lakers another young wing who can defend multiple positions while continuing to develop offensively. He averaged 1.9 PPG, 1.1 RPG, and 0.4 APG in 25 games in 2025-26.
The No. 24 overall pick in the 2026 Draft, the 6’5″ Cameron Carr offers intriguing athletic upside as a developmental wing. His length and defensive potential fit the type of player the Lakers hope can eventually earn consistent rotation minutes. Carr is coming off a season averaging 18.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.6 APG on 49.4% FG and 37.4% 3-PT FG.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is the other new signing as he signed a 4-year, $52M deal. The big man posted 11.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.5 BPG on 52.3% FG, 38.9% 3-PT FG, and 74.7% FT in 80 games. Mamukelashvili is expected to provide floor-spacing as a big man to give a totally different look.
Deandre Ayton may be overqualified for a reserve role in terms of his name, but having a former No. 1 overall pick anchoring the second unit gives Los Angeles the correct frontcourt depth. He simply cannot be trusted to have a high motor defensively as a starter, but he still ensures the Lakers can maintain size and rebounding for all 48 minutes. Ayton averaged 12.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 1.0 BPG on 67.1% FG in 72 starts last season.
Conclusion: An Easy 50-Win Team Already
On paper, this roster looks more balanced than last season’s group. Last season, the Lakers finished with a 53-29 record, ranked 11th in offense and 11th in defense, but had a 19th-ranked defensive rating. We expect a top-10 team across the board in 2026-27.
Luka Doncic finally has an elite defensive center behind him, Austin Reaves can fully embrace his role as the secondary scorer, and Walker Kessler addresses arguably the Lakers’ biggest weakness of the past several years.
Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili bring scoring, shooting, athleticism, energy, and shooting. The Lakers’ signings have been on point so far. Re-signing Rui Hachimura would also provide valuable scoring, size, and lineup versatility, while another veteran three-and-D wing could elevate this roster even further. Of course, it depends on how much money Rui wants at this time.
As things stand, Los Angeles appears well-positioned to win 50-plus games in its first full season without LeBron James. The LeBron era may be over, but the Lakers have already assembled a playoff team capable of remaining firmly in the Western Conference title race for years to come.
