The Lakers paid a premium for Walker Kessler, but their aggressive offseason finally gave Luka Dončić a younger and more balanced supporting cast.
The Los Angeles Lakers took significant risks this offseason, but that should not overshadow how much better their roster looks entering the 2026-27 season.
Bleacher Report recently included the Lakers among five teams that “blew it” during the offseason. The primary criticism centered on the price Los Angeles paid to acquire Walker Kessler, surrendering two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps before signing him to a four-year, $129.5 million contract.
That is a massive commitment, but it also secured a 25-year-old center who addresses the Lakers’ most glaring weakness.
Kessler gives L.A. an elite rim protector, lob threat and rebounder who should thrive alongside Luka Dončić. The Lakers needed a dependable pick-and-roll partner who could cover defensive mistakes behind Dončić and Austin Reaves. Instead of settling for another short-term answer, they acquired one of the NBA’s best young defensive centers.
Lakers Built Around Luka
The Lakers’ front office did more than add Kessler.
Re-signing Reaves to a four-year deal preserved the team’s second-best offensive player. Quentin Grimes adds shooting and perimeter defense, while Collin Sexton gives the second unit another aggressive scorer. Sandro Mamukelashvili provides frontcourt versatility, and veterans Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle add experience and defensive toughness.
Los Angeles also moved on from Deandre Ayton while adding Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks. The roster is younger, deeper and better suited to Dončić than it was when the offseason began.
Critics can question the length of some contracts or the number of player options the Lakers handed out. However, that flexibility also helped Los Angeles secure multiple useful players in a competitive market.
The Price Reflected the Opportunity
The Lakers were never going to replace LeBron James with one transaction. Their objective had to be building a complete roster around Dončić without wasting another season of his prime.
Kessler’s acquisition came at a steep cost, but premium players at important positions rarely become available cheaply. He does not need to become Rudy Gobert to justify the move. He needs to protect the rim, finish opportunities created by Dončić and remain healthy enough to anchor the defense.
The Lakers are now positioned to remain competitive while beginning a new era. They retained Reaves, addressed their defensive weaknesses and surrounded Dončić with players who complement his strengths.
Los Angeles may eventually regret surrendering so much draft control, but offseason grades should also consider what a team accomplished. The Lakers identified their biggest needs and aggressively filled them.
That deserves more credit than it has received.
