The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2025-26 NBA season with a new sense of optimism and an updated identity.
Under JJ Redick’s continued leadership and fueled by Luka Doncic’s offseason transformation, the Lakers believe that they have built a new foundation using some old pieces that can challenge the best that the Western Conference elite has to offer.
After a shaky last few years that included inconsistent play and an abundance of injuries, this version of the Lakers feels different. This year’s team is much deeper and more unified with one goal in sight. But, how realistic is this assertion?
Redick’s System Gets Re-Organized
When JJ Redick accepted the Lakers’ head coaching job originally, many skeptics believed that he was hired to be close with LeBron and could be a splash due to his time on the media side of things. But now we are a year later, removed from that, and he proved to be more than just that.
According to The Athletic, Redick led Los Angeles to a 50-32 record, which earned them the third seed in the Western Conference. This included a stretch where they went 20-4 and looked unstoppable with their elite defense. That surge reflected some of Redick’s defensive concepts and ability to make sudden midseason changes.
Players have often praised Redick’s communication skills and ability to adapt as his best assets. He has a keen ability to make hard rotation calls and adjust the team’s schemes on the fly. Most importantly, he has seamlessly integrated Doncic into the fold on both ends of the floor, drawing from their brief time as Mavericks teammates together.
Redick will admit that he is still learning. After the playoff exit, he vowed to have an offseason of self-evaluation, adding that, “There’s a lot of blame that gets placed on me, and I’m willing to accept that. Believe me, no one is harder on me than me.”
In one year, Redick has transformed skepticism into belief. He proved that his blend of analytics, accountability and emotional intelligence can work at the NBA level.
Luka’s Slimmer Than Ever
No storyline defines this Lakers season more than how Doncic’s physical and mental well-being has been revamped. After arriving from Dallas, Doncic often faced questions about his conditioning and commitment that were asserted all over the sports media world. This summer, he silenced them.
Bein Sports reported that Doncic entered camp much leaner and quicker, after shedding noticeable weight while improving his explosiveness and endurance. He was even on the cover of Men’s Health, which further proves his ability to slim down and knock the haters.
Yahoo Sports predicted that Doncic’s improved stamina could potentially translate into him being more efficient in clutch moments. That is an area that he was far from good at this past year. If his fitness holds up, Doncic could realistically enter the MVP conversation while leading a system that is defined by creativity and freedom of movement.
Support Surrounding the Stars
The Lakers roster finally has the kind of balance that championship hopefuls need. It is also very noticeably similar to the one that the Dallas Mavericks developed a few years back. The biggest difference here is that you still have LeBron James in the mix, who still has some juice left in the tank.
The team’s depth features players such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt. As well as newcomers such as Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. This roster offers a mix of shooting, defense, and versatility.
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According to Fadeaway World, they are projected to have one of the top defensive units in the league. With Ayton anchoring the interior and Smart setting the tone on the perimeter, they will definitely have the depth that they have been searching for in years past.
The Western Conference Outlook
According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers are projected to finish with a 47-35 record, which figures to be above the play-in level. The analysis acknowledged that Doncic “has won 50 games with less surrounding talent” before.
James is the other piece to this puzzle, and he is entering his 23rd season as he continues to defy any sense of a decline. In short, Los Angeles has a high ceiling but a narrow margin for error.
They are capable of winning 55 games if they stay healthy, but can be vulnerable to a downturn if chemistry or the injury bug becomes an issue.
The Calculated Climb
Projecting the Lakers’ success requires measured confidence that will not veer to cockiness. Redick has proven to be a capable leader, Doncic looks revitalized, and LeBron remains an expert in longevity. The pieces to the puzzle are there, though, as they have the stars, the glue guys and at the moment a united locker room.
If those pieces continue to hold themselves together throughout the season, then the Western Conference has its hands full in dealing with these frisky Lakers. If not, however, then this team will continue to mount what-if questions.
Either way, this version of the Lakers is not changing their past but redefining their future.
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