What happened
With LeBron James in Philadelphia, the Lakers are now centered on Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and the preview says their minutes together without him were already efficient last season.
Walker Kessler is expected to strengthen rim protection and rebounding, and the listed five-man look adds Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle around Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler.
The Lakers still have an unsettled starting-4 question, so their rotation may keep changing around Dončić and Reaves. Their defensive ceiling depends on whether the new frontcourt pieces hold up.
Automated brief based on the linked report. Lineup context is analysis; official starting-five labels come separately from our game data provider.
Original reporting: 2026-27 NBA Season Preview: Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Kings (Pacific Division) — Yahoo Sports ↗