The Los Angeles Lakers are being widely projected to struggle this season, with many critics predicting a play-in finish or an early playoff exit following LeBron James’s departure. But ESPN senior insider Brian Windhorst is pushing back against that skepticism, arguing that the team’s new foundation is far stronger than the public expects. Windhorst, speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast, highlighted the partnership between Luca Doncic and Austin Reeves as the core reason for his optimism. He noted that he was surprised by projections that placed the Lakers at only 45.
5 wins for the upcoming season. Windhorst pointed to a significant sample size showing that when the two stars play together, they generate wins even when the rest of the roster has deficiencies. The numbers support his argument. During the 2025-26 season, the Lakers went 30-and-11 when Doncic and Reeves shared the court together.
More tellingly, when those two played alongside each other without LeBron James, Los Angeles posted a 9-and-2 record. Doncic averaged a league-leading 33. 5 points per game last season, while Reeves posted a career-best 23. 3 points per game.
With James no longer commanding possessions, both players are expected to have even more control over the offense. Windhorst acknowledged that the roster still carries significant concerns, particularly on defense. The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season, a mark that will not suffice in the competitive Western Conference. That is where new addition Walker Kessler becomes critical.
The Lakers acquired Kessler this offseason in a move that addressed one of their biggest weaknesses, giving them a legitimate rim protector behind Doncic and Reeves. His ability to finish around the basket also provides Doncic with another dangerous pick-and-roll option. The acquisition came at a cost, however. Los Angeles gave up valuable assets to land Kessler, a price that could become problematic if another star becomes available later and the team lacks the resources to make another move.
But from a pure basketball standpoint, the Lakers identified their weakness and attacked it directly. The team’s decision to move on from LeBron James has sparked intense debate. Critics contend that rebuilding around a 42-year-old superstar, regardless of his legacy, was no longer viable in a league dominated by younger, faster teams. The Lakers clearly agreed, choosing to build around Doncic instead of forcing James into the team’s future.
There is also a hidden benefit to the changing of the guard. The enormous media circus surrounding James has relocated to Philadelphia. Every Lakers loss no longer becomes a national referendum on James’ role, and every roster decision no longer has to be filtered through the question of whether it helps him win another championship. Windhorst’s analysis directly challenges the popular narrative that the Lakers were doomed to collapse once James left.
That narrative is fueled by history: whenever James has left a franchise, the team has typically been left destroyed and unable to make the playoffs the following season. Critics hoped to use the Lakers’ struggles as proof of the so-called “LeBron effect. ” But the Lakers finished 53-and-29 last season, and they retain the most important piece of their new era in Doncic. The emotional battle around the franchise remains, but the basketball logic is clear.
Without LeBron taking possessions and attention, Doncic and Reeves should have clearer roles and more control of the game. The Lakers have not waved a white flag by letting James walk; they have changed direction. Whether that direction leads to playoff success remains to be seen, but the team has positioned itself to be far more competitive than the doubters suggest.
