Fantasy Series #8: The Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with LeBron James, and finally have the chance to start fresh with Luka Doncic at the helm.
The Fantasy series looks at the featured team’s season statistical performance and explores offseason possibilities.
2025-2026 Key Season Stats
Luka Doncic – 33.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 8.3 assists per game
Austin Reaves – 23.3 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game
Walker Kessler – 14.4 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 1.8 blocks per game
Last season was a test for the Los Angeles Lakers. Was a combination of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves good enough for a deep playoff run? Apparently not.
Although LeBron and Luka are all-time offensive greats, they are not so great defensively at this point of their careers, and the playoffs exposed that. Even if the Rockets fell to them by virtue of LeBron’s sheer IQ and Marcus Smart’s defense and hustle (and Luke Kennard’s surprise hot shooting), they had no chance against Oklahoma City’s insane depth and offensive prowess.
Not with the ridiculous defensive rating of LeBron and Luka together. Add the fact that there is no real, reliable rim protector and inside presence (DeAndre Ayton was too inconsistent).
This offseason, young center Walker Kessler was signed by the Lakers to a USD130 million, 4-year contract. This is the answer the Lakers found to solve their interior defense issues. Three-time champion (and big man too) Kevon Looney was also added into the roster, as well as speedy guard Collin Sexton and defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle. Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy were also added to the roster to add depth to the guard spot.
No more Ayton, Rui, Kennard, Marcus Smart. This Lakers team is definitely not the same as last year’s squad, but the question remains–will this roster be good enough for a deep playoff run? Acquiring these were expensive committal decisions, to say the least. Can these guys compete against San Antonio and Oklahoma City?
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