The Los Angeles Lakers lost LeBron James, but that may no longer be the biggest storyline in Los Angeles. While the focus has been on the end of the LeBron era, the Lakers are quietly building a different identity around Luka Dončić. The key to that shift could be Walker Kessler, a player who barely saw meaningful minutes previously, making his potential arrival the real pivot point for the franchise’s new direction. The Lakers’ strategy hinges on a specific bet: that Kessler can become more than just a traditional rim-protecting center.
In his last full season, he averaged 11. 1 points, 12. 2 rebounds, and 2. 4 blocks per game over 58 appearances, showcasing the defensive potential that makes him valuable.
The gamble is whether he can become a reliable stretch threat and defend in space when opponents force him away from the basket, areas that playoff teams will actively hunt. If Kessler can improve in those areas, the calculation changes completely, giving the Lakers a big man who can create pressure without needing the basketball. However, Austin Reaves is the player who might unlock the perimeter for the team. With the Lakers opening the season 10-4 without LeBron, Reaves and Luka carried the offensive load, highlighted by Reaves exploding for 51 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists against Sacramento, proving there is another level to his game.
If Reaves can consistently attack close-outs and create offense, the Lakers suddenly have two legitimate offensive engines. This would allow the team to build around Luka’s strengths, with Reaves taking pressure off him and Kessler creating pressure at the rim. The real question is whether they can secure P. J.
Washington, who proved his value in the 2024 playoffs by punishing defenses that helped off him, and who could be the missing piece to turn a good off-season into a spectacular one. The lingering weakness remains a roster gap, though acquiring players like Washington would address it. The Lakers aren’t expecting another offensive superstar; they’re betting on specific skills. If the final pieces fall into place, the Lakers could finally have the structure around Luka that makes them a legitimate threat.
But if they fail to address that position, the questions will only get louder, because the post-season doesn’t forgive roster problems, and the conversation may shift from whether Luka can carry the Lakers to whether the front office did enough to support him.