Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves can keep the Lakers near the top of the West, but the defense still has plenty to prove.
The Los Angeles Lakers changed almost everything around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves this summer, and that makes them one of the harder teams to judge in the Western Conference.
LeBron James is gone, the supporting cast looks different and the pressure now falls on two guards who should have more control over the offense.
There are real reasons to question whether this group can defend well enough to make a long playoff run.
Still, a top-four finish is within reach.
The Lakers do not need every new addition to become a star, but they need the pieces around their best players to make sense.
A Different Team Around the Same Backcourt
The move toward a new core brought a complete roster overhaul rather than a few bench changes.
Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney and Ziaire Williams give Los Angeles a different mix of size, scoring and depth.
Kessler offers a target around the basket, Grimes can handle tough perimeter assignments and Sexton gives the bench another scorer.
Those roles should help, though replacing James' passing and late-game judgment will take more than adding names.
Why Doncic and Reaves Can Beat Expectations
Reaves also shot 49.0 percent from the field, giving Los Angeles more than a second scorer who needs extra shots to produce.
The added responsibility should also give Reaves more chances to lead without waiting for another star to set the table.
His ability to score and pass makes that a useful change.
Their upside together comes from cleaner roles.
Reaves can attack after Doncic draws help, then run possessions himself when Doncic sits.
Kessler's rolls and Mamukelashvili's spacing should create easier choices for both guards.
Doncic's recovery from his hamstring injury adds to that case.
Better health and a roster built around their strengths could matter more than either guard making a huge scoring jump.
Defense Will Decide How Far They Go
As of September 21, the 2026–27 regular season has not started.
Last season, the Lakers finished 53–29 and fourth, behind Oklahoma City at 64–18, San Antonio at 62–20 and Denver at 54–28.
Houston finished just behind Los Angeles at 52–30.
That leaves little room for careless losses.
Winning the games they should win will matter as much as a few strong nights against contenders.
The Lakers ranked ninth in offensive rating but 19th in defensive rating, and Kessler cannot fix every breakdown if guards keep getting beaten off the dribble.
The bigger roles available to Grimes and Mamukelashvili give JJ Redick options, but his closing lineups must balance scoring with stops.
A top-four finish will require healthy lead guards, steady bench minutes and a defense closer to league average.
That is a reasonable goal.
