The 2026 NBA playoffs gave spectators valuable insight into the league’s future. It’s clear that the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are head and shoulders above the competition.
It’s remarkable since they share a generation with Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards, both playoff staples at this point. The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves will sit atop the West for the next few years, creating even more issues for the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s safe to say that there are plenty of trials ahead for Luka Dončić and his new crew.
The Western Conference Is Loaded, but the Lakers Can Compete
Barring any season-ending injuries, Oklahoma City and San Antonio will be interchangeable as the top two seeds. This leaves the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Lakers fighting for the next three seeds.
There wasn’t much activity in Denver’s front office this summer. Jokic led the league in rebounding and assists last season, so the Nuggets are due for another successful regular season with their 31-year-old superstar, likely winning over 50 games for the fifth consecutive season.
For Minnesota, the entire league is aware of Edwards’ performance in the postseason, and now he has LaMelo Ball by his side. Although the T-Wolves traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid, Minnesota managed to keep the reliable Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels is a potential rising star.
Therefore, it’s clear that there are some teams that will give the Lakers some adversity for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
The Lakers Must Win Over 50 Games This Season
This was the case before the offseason even began, and Rob Pelinka answered the call. This summer solved a lot of their roster issues. Anything under 50 wins should be considered a failure.
Since they won 50 games last season with a bench that was ranked 29th in scoring, they’re bound for an increase in wins. Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero, Matisse Thybulle, and Zairie Williams will all make an impact in multiple areas.
They will improve the Lakers’ offense and defense in the second unit. Inconsistency was their biggest issue last year with players like Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. With Smart gone and LaRavia on the bench, head coach JJ Redick will have a worthy cavalry for his starting five.
From top to bottom, the team is filled with dynamic scorers and proven defenders. So as long as this roster stays healthy, fans will see the refined version of the ‘Luka Lakers’.
Out With The Old, In With The New
Los Angeles’ new supporting cast will address the issues of the previous one.
The biggest reason the Lakers traded for former Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is the rim protection he’ll provide. Though his offensive game is limited, he has averaged 2.4 blocks per game throughout his young career.
Free agent signing Quentin Grimes will also give a boost defensively. Redick has expressed his desire for a point-of-attack defender, and Grimes fits the description. He is a good defender whether in transition or in isolation, and the 26-year-old’s versatility allows him to defend numerous positions.
The wall of defenders creates a healthy nucleus of capable defenders around their two primary scoring options, Dončić and Austin Reaves. Both are subpar defenders, so players like Grimes and Thybulle provide valuable optionality. The term optionality has found its way into numerous press conferences around the league because it’s mandatory in the modern era.
Giving Redick capable defenders is a good omen, seeing what he’s able to muster on offense. His coaching style will work wonders with Sexton’s skillset. He is terrific at breaking down defenders with his shot creation, and as it stands, he’s the best option in the second unit.
Chemistry Will Be the Lakers’ Secret Weapon
It’s the beginning of a new era in LA, and change always comes with an adjustment period. For the Lakers, losing LeBron James in free agency deprives this new roster of an invaluable veteran. His absence will force this young locker room to band together as they represent such an illustrious franchise.
This is where Kevon Looney will make the most impact this upcoming season. The three-time NBA Finals winner is all too familiar with championship aspirations, and his guidance will help maintain their healthy habits.
After living in the Bay Area for a decade, followed by a year in New Orleans, he expressed his enthusiasm to play in Hollywood during a recent interview on the ESPN radio show Mason & Ireland.
“This summer’s been great. Being a free agent this year, I didn’t know what was going to happen. [There were] lots of moving parts to this offseason with a lot of teams,” Looney said. “Once the Lakers made a few moves and they had a need for a center, this was my top destination, and I was able to make it happen, and I’m super excited.”
Role players like Looney are incredibly valuable for a run to the NBA Finals.
The Lakers Should Finish 56-26 and Earn Home-Court Advantage
From a plethora of great defenders to an arsenal of offensive weapons, Los Angeles’ roster is built for many scenarios this season.
There were many situations the Lakers weren’t prepared for during Dončić‘s second year, but now they’re ready for the 27-year-old to become the leader of this team. Luka’s first course of action was to get the guys together in Slovenia for a four-day camp.
Chemistry-building activities like this are why the Lakers will exceed their 50-win total this season. On paper, the roster is very talented, and their chemistry will improve their execution on the court.
Ending the 2026-27 season with a record of 56-26 will likely result in home-court advantage, giving the Lakers a massive boost at the beginning of their title run.
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