Lakers’ Roster Gaps Put Title Hopes in Question
WHO:
ESPN - Luka Dončić is the Lakers’ leading player; Rob Pelinka is the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager, and JJ Redick is its coach.
ESPN - Lakers’ four major free-agent additions are Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton; collectively, they have started six playoff games.
ESPN - The Lakers’ other named backcourt options include Jaden Hardy, Bronny James and two-way guard Chris Manon.
NY Post - Khobi Price addresses questions about the Lakers.
NY Post - Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are discussed in relation to the Lakers’ expectations.
Pro Football Network - Lou Williams, identified as a former NBA guard, questions whether the Lakers’ offseason additions are sufficient to compete at a high level.
Pro Football Network - Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are named in the article headline about a Lakers roster question.
WHAT:
ESPN - Dončić said, “if you don't think we can win a championship, then you shouldn't be here,” and said he believes the Lakers can win the title.
ESPN - ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Lakers an 11% chance of reaching the Western Conference finals.
ESPN - The Lakers traded two unprotected future first-round picks and two pick swaps to Utah for Kessler.
ESPN - The Lakers ranked 20th in defense, allowing 115.5 points per 100 possessions.
ESPN - Dončić and Austin Reaves averaged 56.8 points and 13.8 assists per game combined last season.
ESPN - Redick said, “That fourth ball handler for us hasn't been great.” Preseason statistics for Hardy, Bronny James and Manon showed each averaging more turnovers than assists.
NY Post - The article raises questions about Walker Kessler, wing depth, and the Lakers’ title hopes.
NY Post - The article asks whether Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are ready for heightened expectations.
NY Post - It says the Lakers are not asking Reaves or Kessler to become players they are not or to do things on court that they have not done before.
NY Post - The article says Reaves is expected to be the “natural-born scorer” he is and to be a high-level player.
Pro Football Network - Williams is not convinced the Lakers’ offseason additions will be enough to compete at a high level.
Pro Football Network - The headline frames the roster issue with the question, “Who’s the Next Guy?”
WHERE:
ESPN - Dončić hosted a four-day team minicamp and bonding trip in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
WHY:
ESPN - Pelinka said the Lakers acquired Kessler because centers with his capabilities are rare and the team needed to address its defense.
Pro Football Network - Williams’ concern is whether the Lakers’ offseason additions are sufficient for high-level competition.
HOW:
ESPN - The Lakers used a four-year, $130 million contract for Kessler, a four-year, $60 million deal for Grimes, a four-year, $52 million deal for Mamukelashvili and a two-year, $27 million deal for Sexton.
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 17:24 UTC)
Luka Dončić says the Lakers can win a championship, but questions remain about whether their roster is strong enough to contend. The team added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, though the four have combined for just six playoff starts. Los Angeles gave Kessler a four-year, $130 million contract and traded two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps to Utah to acquire him. General manager Rob Pelinka said Kessler’s abilities are rare and the Lakers needed to improve their defense, which ranked 20th last season. Dončić and Austin Reaves combined for 56.8 points and 13.8 assists per game. Still, former guard Lou Williams questions whether the offseason additions are enough, while ESPN projects an 11% chance of reaching the Western Conference finals. Coach JJ Redick has also raised concerns about the team’s fourth ball handler.
--
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 13:15 UTC)
The Lakers’ roster depth is drawing questions, with former NBA guard Lou Williams unconvinced that the team’s offseason additions are enough to compete at a high level. A Pro Football Network headline featuring Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves asks, “Who’s the Next Guy?” The New York Post examines Walker Kessler, wing depth and the Lakers’ title hopes, noting that Reaves is expected to remain the natural-born scorer he is as both he and Kessler face heightened expectations.