Los Angeles LakersLakers search for balance around Dončić and Reaves
Without LeBron James, the Lakers keep their backcourt duo and add Kessler in the paint. Redick must organise a largely rebuilt rotation.
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The Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2025–2026 season with 53 wins and 29 losses, fourth place in the West and an exit in the conference semi-finals.
Leadership reshaped
LeBron James' departure for Philadelphia changes the Lakers' framework. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who re-signed this summer, are now the two reference points of a group still coached by JJ Redick. Their last run ended in a 4-0 sweep by Oklahoma City in the conference semi-finals. To move forward, Los Angeles has renewed much of the supporting cast around its duo rather than start again from scratch.
per game
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New options around the duo
Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Cameron Carr strengthen the perimeter options. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney complete the choices inside. Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have left the group. These moves shift a large number of minutes and force Redick to establish a new pecking order.
- →Walker KesslerWalker Kessler · joined the squad
- →Quentin GrimesQuentin Grimes · joined the squad
- →Collin SextonCollin Sexton · joined the squad
- →Jaden HardyJaden Hardy · joined the squad
- →Matisse ThybulleMatisse Thybulle · joined the squad
- →Ziaire WilliamsZiaire Williams · joined the squad
- →Cameron CarrCameron Carr · joined the squad
- →Sandro MamukelashviliSandro Mamukelashvili · joined the squad
- →Kevon LooneyKevon Looney · joined the squad
- ←LeBron James · left the squad
- ←Rui Hachimura · left the squad
- ←Deandre Ayton · left the squad
- ←Jaxson Hayes · left the squad
- ←Luke Kennard · left the squad
- ←Marcus Smart · left the squad
Offensive reference points in the current squad
2025–2026 regular season, all teams combined. Selection of players with at least ten games; not an exhaustive ranking. Not all of the new signings produced these numbers with their current club.
Luka Dončić, a reference point for the group
29 % of the team's scoring averages
32 % of the team's assist averages
Ratios of per-game averages for 2025–2026; player and team have not necessarily played the same number of games. SNA estimates, not official shares of totals.
Kessler: a target and a defensive anchor
Walker Kessler arrives to man the paint. Our projection casts him as a screen-setter and finisher at the rim, with responsibility for interior defence. Their fit together will have to be built in games: a good screen only creates an advantage if the ball-handler and the other players read the opposition's reaction.
The rotation: spots up for grabs
Dončić, Reaves and Kessler form a plausible foundation. Grimes, Jake LaRavia, Thybulle, Williams and Jarred Vanderbilt offer several ways to fill out the wings; Sexton can run second-unit stretches. Mamukelashvili and Looney provide other frontcourt pairings, while Dalton Knecht adds another option on the perimeter. This is our projection of roles over the season, not an official line-up or a promise of minutes for anyone.
Creating
On the wings
Inside
SNA season projection, not an official starting five or a guaranteed available line-up for the opener. Absences and uncertainties are detailed in the dated update.
Three-point shooting, player by player
2025–2026 regular season, all teams combined. Red line: club average, 35.9%. Selection: minimum ten games and at least one attempt per game.
Availability: the picture on 14 October
As of 14 October 2026, Dončić, Sexton, Williams, Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero are listed as uncertain on a day-to-day basis. These preparation statuses and return estimates do not confirm availability for the opening game. The roles outlined above relate to the season.
The group: 21 players
Official preparation list: 21 players. Positions follow the official categories; they do not indicate a rotation hierarchy. Appearing on this list guarantees neither a permanent contract nor playing time.
| Player | Status | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwards · versatile positions | |||||
| Arthur Kaluma | – | – | – | – | |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | – | – | – | – | |
| Matisse Thybulle | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Dalton Knecht | – | – | – | – | |
| Ziaire Williams | RookieDoubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Jake LaRavia | 8.2 | 4 | 1.8 | 32.1 % | |
| Cole Swider | – | – | – | – | |
| AK Okereke | – | – | – | – | |
| Kevon Looney | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Luka Doncic | Doubtful | 33.5 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 36.6 % |
| Centres and bigs | |||||
| Rafael Castro | – | – | – | – | |
| Walker Kessler | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Guards | |||||
| Adou Thiero | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Quentin Grimes | Rookie | 13.4 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 33.4 % |
| Jaden Hardy | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Bronny James | – | – | – | – | |
| Collin Sexton | RookieDoubtful | 15.4 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 40.1 % |
| Austin Reaves | 23.3 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 36 % | |
| Chris Manon | – | – | – | – | |
| Cameron Carr | RookieDoubtful | – | – | – | – |
2025–26 averages, all teams combined, for documented players. "–": unverified data, fewer than ten games or fewer than one three-point attempt per game. Statuses as of 15 October: preparation estimates, no guarantee for the opener. Camp group, not a final rotation.
Creating together and defending the rim
Dončić and Reaves' ability to create scoring chances is a strength. The new profiles can add variety to the answers, but shared experience has yet to be built. Rim protection, getting back after a shot and ball movement when the duo is split will be useful markers. Returning to the top of the West and going further than last season's playoff run are realistic ambitions, but they demand more than a squad that looks good on paper.
The foundations
- The creation of Dončić and Reaves.
- Kessler as a target near the rim.
- Fresh profiles around the duo.
Work in progress
- Building shared experience.
- Protecting the rim and getting back in defence.
- Holding the game together when the duo is apart.
Getting back to the top of the West and going further than last season's playoff run are possible ambitions.
The first markers are pairings and roles to watch, not an established hierarchy or a guarantee of results.
The regular season opens at home against Golden State on 22 October at 3:00 Brazzaville time (2:00 UTC), which is the evening of 21 October locally. See the Los Angeles Lakers profile and the match page.
Thursday 22 October 2026 at 03:00, Brazzaville time · match centre
- The team’s live schedule appears here.
Countdown to tip-off.