Los Angeles Lakers Preview 2026/27 | Is Luka Doncic Well Surrounded to Win?

Los Angeles Lakers face the 2026/27 season amidst one of the biggest cyclical changes in recent years. The departure of LeBron James, who has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaves Luka Doncic as the main reference for a team that aims to remain among the contenders in the Western Conference. After finishing last season with a record of 53 wins and 29 losses, the Lakers want to take a step further and compete for the championship again.

Last season ended with a bitter taste. The Lakers concluded the regular season in fourth place in the West, but the Oklahoma City Thunder ended their aspirations in the conference semifinals with a resounding 4-0. To avoid a repeat of that outcome, the franchise has focused on renewing key pieces, incorporating rotation players, and, above all, building a roster that fits better around Doncic.

Expectations remain high. The team appears in sixth place in the preseason rankings, a sign that there is confidence in their offensive potential, although significant doubts also persist regarding their defensive capability.

Luka Doncic, the undisputed leader after the departure of LeBron James

The exit of LeBron represents a significant change for the Lakers. The veteran forward has been a central figure for the team for several seasons, but his move to Philadelphia definitively opens the door to a new era led by Doncic.

The Slovenian will have Austin Reaves as his main outside partner after the franchise secured his continuity with a four-year, 180 million dollar renewal. The pair provides reasons to build one of the most dangerous offenses in the competition, thanks to their ability to create advantages with the ball, generate opportunities for their teammates, and assume responsibilities in critical moments.

Moreover, Doncic enters the season with the expectation of being in the best physical shape of his career. If he can maintain that condition and has a roster that capitalizes on his strengths, the fight for MVP looks like a realistic goal.

The key will be surrounding him with players capable of punishing defensive help. The Lakers have added more options to space the floor and provide off-ball solutions, a necessity especially important when Doncic monopolizes offensive creation.

Walker Kessler, the signing that could change the defense

The addition of Walker Kessler, coming from the Utah Jazz, is one of the most interesting moves of the summer. The center can provide exactly the profile Doncic needs to enhance his game, with the ability to set solid screens, roll to the basket, and make quick decisions when he receives the ball.

Kessler has also begun to show a shooting touch from outside, an evolution that could expand the Lakers' offensive possibilities. However, his main contribution will be on defense, where he excels at protecting the rim and challenging opponents' finishes.

Throughout his career, opponents have made just 50.6% of their shots from less than six feet from the basket when Kessler is involved in those actions, a percentage 13.3 points lower than his usual effectiveness in those situations, according to provided data.

His presence can help offset some of the defensive limitations of the outside players. He also offers Doncic an inside partner with the right characteristics for pick-and-roll, one of the most important tools in his offensive repertoire.

However, there is an initial uncertainty: Kessler has not yet debuted in preseason due to a finger issue. The situation is not considered worrisome, but his adaptation and availability will be aspects to monitor in the first weeks.

More depth in the roster, but doubts on defense

The Lakers have made several moves to improve their options beyond their two main stars. Quentin Grimes has started in all three preseason games played, indicating that he is expected to take on an important role on the perimeter. His ability to play off the ball can help create space for Doncic and Reaves.

They have also brought in Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle, while Jaden Hardy has joined via a trade from Washington. In the draft, the franchise selected Cameron Carr with the 24th pick.

The renewal of Reaves for four years and 180 million dollars has been one of the most important moves, along with the signings of Mamukelashvili for 52 million over four years and Grimes for 60 million over the same period. Sexton signed for two years and 19 million dollars.

However, the problem lies in balancing offense and defense. Neither Doncic nor Reaves are known for being defensive specialists, and the new outside players do not guarantee a sufficient improvement in that area by themselves. Kessler can become the last line of defense against opposing penetrations, but the team will need to defend well away from the rim and prevent opponents from finding advantages too easily.

The departure of Marcus Smart, who has signed with the Houston Rockets, also means losing a player with defensive experience. In addition, the exits of Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes require a reorganization of both the interior rotation and the outside options.

The question is not whether the Lakers can score a lot of points. Their offensive potential is beyond doubt. The real question is whether they can maintain the necessary defensive level to compete against the best teams in the NBA.

The departures force a redefinition of the rotation

The Lakers' roster shows significant differences compared to last season. LeBron James has moved to Philadelphia, Kennard has signed with Phoenix, Smart has headed to Houston, and Hayes will play in Utah. Hachimura, on the other hand, will continue his career in Los Angeles, but with the Clippers, while Ayton has been traded to Washington.

These departures force a redistribution of responsibilities. Doncic and Reaves will need to take on a significant part of the offensive creation, while Grimes could solidify his role as a starter and Kessler will have the responsibility of providing consistency to the interior defense.

Jake LaRavia has the edge to occupy the power forward position according to early impressions of the preseason. The contributions of players like Looney, Thybulle, and Mamukelashvili will also be important to maintain a competitive level when the stars rest.

Depth seems greater in some aspects, but it remains to be seen how all the pieces fit together in official games. The continuity of the main players and the ability of the bench to respond in the absence of stars will be crucial in a long season.

How far can the Lakers go in 2026/27?

The schedule will start with two demanding commitments: the Golden State Warriors will visit the Lakers on October 21, and the Clippers will be their next rivals on October 23. A start that will allow for the evaluation of the performance of a roster with many new faces.

The best-case scenario for the Lakers involves developing a dominant offense around Doncic and Reaves, leveraging Kessler's presence, and ensuring that the rest of the rotation provides enough defensive consistency. If everything comes together, the Lakers could contend for the top spots in the Western Conference and even aim to finish the regular season as the top seed.

In contrast, an extended injury to Doncic or Reaves would have significant consequences, given the weight both will carry in offensive creation. Kessler's availability will also be crucial: if the center fails to establish himself as a defensive anchor, the team could struggle to contain the most potent opponents.

In the worst-case scenario, a less effective offense than expected and a vulnerable defense could push the Lakers into the play-in tournament, despite the talent of their main players.

The Lakers have the potential to be one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA, but they also have unresolved issues. LeBron's departure marks the end of an era and places Doncic at the center of the project. Now, the challenge is to transform their enormous offensive capability into a balanced team ready to compete in the playoffs.

The 2026/27 season will determine whether the summer moves were sufficient to return the Lakers to the title race or if defensive shortcomings will become their main obstacle again.