The Los Angeles Lakers have reshaped their franchise around Luka Dončić after LeBron James departed in free agency, and the move has sparked intense debate about whether the team actually improved this offseason. The Lakers received a C+ grade for their offseason moves, while the Boston Celtics drew a C- after trading Jaylen Brown. Both teams carry nearly identical payrolls, making the comparison between the two storied franchises even more compelling. The centerpiece of the Lakers’ offseason was the acquisition of Walker Kessler.
The 7’2″ rim protector averaged over 12 rebounds per game and 2. 4 blocks per game last season, giving Los Angeles a defensive anchor it has lacked for years. Kessler’s arrival means the Lakers no longer have to depend on Deandre Ayton, a player critics have questioned for his consistency. The new center brings clear defensive identity through shot-blocking and rebounding.
Losing LeBron James remains a significant blow. Many analysts believe the Lakers should have prioritized keeping him, but the franchise chose a different direction by committing fully to a new core. The Lakers have locked in heavily to their top players. Luka Dončić earns $53.
4 million this season, Austin Reaves is at $46. 2 million, and Kessler is making $32. 5 million. Quentin Grimes follows at $15 million per year.
Offensively, the Dončić-Reaves backcourt is considered elite. The question has always been whether the Lakers could supplement that scoring with defensive stability, and Kessler appears to answer that need. One analyst argued the Lakers are better positioned than the Celtics right now because Los Angeles has certainty in its core three players, while Boston faces unknowns around Jayson Tatum’s health and how the front office will use its new draft assets. The Celtics, however, hold a significant long-term advantage.
Boston has five tradeable first-round picks, a $20 million trade exception, and seven tradeable second-round picks. The Lakers have roughly three second-round picks and one swap available. That flexibility means Boston can improve its roster during the season, while the Lakers are largely locked into the team they have assembled. The Celtics won 56 games last year, and even with Tatum’s health uncertainty, they are projected to remain around 50 wins.
The Lakers won 53 games and may not improve much beyond that total. The financial investments in Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler show the Lakers are betting on immediate contention rather than future roster flexibility. The question is whether that gamble pays off with a championship. Most analysts agree the Lakers improved their roster, but few believe this group is a title contender.
The team has moved on from the LeBron era and entered a new chapter centered on the Dončić-Kessler partnership.