A deeper roster should keep the Lakers in the Western Conference playoff race, but chemistry and health will determine their ceiling.
The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2026-27 season with more depth, youth and defensive versatility than they had a year ago. That does not necessarily mean their regular-season record will improve.
L.A. finished 53-29 last season despite Luka Dončić missing 18 games and LeBron James appearing in only 60. Dončić’s left hamstring injury ultimately proved more damaging in the playoffs, when he missed both rounds.
Mar 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guardLukaDoncic(77) moves the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesThe Lakers responded by rebuilding the roster around Dončić and Austin Reaves. Eleven new faces are expected to join the team, but injuries, chemistry and a demanding Western Conference could prevent L.A. from reaching 50 victories.
Prediction: 46-36, sixth in the Western Conference.
Injuries remain the biggest concern
Dončić gives the Lakers a high ceiling when healthy. He led the NBA with 33.5 points per game last season, while Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
The Lakers cannot afford another extended absence for either player. Dončić and Reaves are the team’s two primary creators, and the offense could struggle against elite opponents if one misses significant time.
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los AngelesLakersguard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Utah Jazz centerWalkerKessler(24) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn ImagesWalker Kessler represents another major concern. The Lakers paid a significant price to acquire the 7-foot center from the Utah Jazz, but he appeared in only five games last season because of injuries. His rim protection, rebounding and pick-and-roll connection with Dončić are essential to L.A.’s plans.
Veteran backup Kevon Looney played only 21 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Although he brings championship experience and physicality, the Lakers may be relying on two centers who combined to appear in just 26 games.
Jarred Vanderbilt has also dealt with recurring foot and lower-body injuries throughout his Lakers tenure. His availability will matter because L.A. needs his defense against the Western Conference’s top wings.
Mar 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guardLukaDoncic (77) reacts with guardAustinReaves(15) after scoring a game winning shot during overtime against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn ImagesChemistry will take time
The Lakers added Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams during a dramatic offseason. LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard departed.
Those changes should make the Lakers younger and deeper, but 11 new players will need time to learn JJ Redick’s system and become comfortable with one another.
The schedule will not offer many easy stretches. L.A. has 15 back-to-back sets, a seven-game road trip from Jan. 28 through Feb. 8 and five games in seven days from March 11-17. Those condensed stretches could force Redick to manage minutes and rest players dealing with minor injuries.
The Lakers do receive a favorable finish, with their final five games at Crypto.com Arena. That closing homestand could help them avoid the play-in tournament.
L.A. has enough talent to compete for a top-six seed, but expecting the new roster to remain completely healthy would be unrealistic. Injuries and early chemistry issues will likely cost the Lakers several winnable games.
A 46-36 finish would keep L.A. in the playoff picture while reflecting the uncertainty surrounding its health and massive roster turnover.
