LeBron James is no longer a Laker, and the franchise’s new era is now firmly in Luka Dončić’s hands. But as the Lakers project a starting five around their new superstar, the roster still carries a glaring weakness that could undermine their championship ambitions. Los Angeles enters the season with a projected starting lineup of Dončić, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, and Walker Kessler, with the power forward spot still unresolved. The Lakers currently sit at 55-to-1 odds to win the title, numbers that reflect the significant work still ahead.
The roster overhaul began after last season exposed the team’s lack of depth behind its top trio. At the time, Dončić, Reaves, and LeBron formed an elite starting core, but the supporting cast struggled under playoff pressure. Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart failed to deliver, prompting general manager Rob Pelinka to reshape the roster. Pelinka made aggressive moves, paying a steep price for Walker Kessler, adding Quentin Grimes, bringing in Collin Sexton, and drafting Cameron Carter.
Still, one problem remains unsolved: who starts at power forward? Jake LaRavia appears on the depth chart, but he looks better suited to a bench role than a starting spot on a contender. Sandro Mamukelashvili, another addition, offers positional flexibility as a tweener between forward and center, but questions remain about whether he is ready for a starting role. The power forward search has led to several potential trade targets.
P. J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, both with Dallas, would bring size and physicality, though the Mavericks may be reluctant to move them given their own frontcourt plans. Naji Marshall is another option, offering defensive flexibility without demanding the ball.
Trey Murphy III of the Pelicans would be an ideal fit with his shooting and length, but his price tag is likely too high for the Lakers’ available assets. The Bucks could offer Caris LeVert as another avenue, while veteran Klay Thompson is also a name to watch given his Los Angeles roots and championship experience. The backcourt also needs attention. Luka and Reaves form a strong starting duo, but the depth behind them remains uncertain.
Collin Sexton helps, and Cameron Carter is another option, but the team may still need another guard. Dalton Knecht’s situation remains complicated. The Lakers traded him to Charlotte, but the deal collapsed when Mark Williams failed his physical, forcing Knecht back to Los Angeles. He has yet to carve out a consistent role in the rotation.
Portland appears to have a surplus of guards, with Damian Lillard returning from an Achilles injury, Ja Morant joining the roster, and players like Shaeden Sharpe and Scoot Henderson competing for minutes. That crowded rotation could eventually make someone available. The team’s center spot also carries risk. Kessler anchors the paint, but relying on him for a full 82-game season is dangerous.
Mamukelashvili can provide backup minutes, but the Lakers may need more insurance behind him. Beyond the roster questions, the franchise is undergoing a larger transformation. The Buss family’s historic control has ended, with the team sold for a valuation approaching $10 billion. Mark Walter now holds controlling interest, and he has also been linked to the sale of his stake in Chelsea in the Premier League.
The sale marks the end of an era for a franchise long associated with the Buss family. Jerry Buss, the late longtime owner, had famously said he could not imagine the Lakers leaving the family. His children ultimately decided the price was too good to pass up. The Lakers are now navigating a completely new landscape: a new superstar, a new ownership group, and a roster still in flux.
The core of Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler is dangerous, but the team still lacks the depth and balance needed for a deep playoff run. The Western Conference will not wait, and the championship window will not stay open indefinitely. Pelinka has one chance to build a roster worthy of Dončić, and the decisions made in the coming weeks could define the team’s future for years.
