It was an offseason of change for the other Los Angeles franchise as well. LeBron James shipped off for Philadelphia, the franchise was sold once again, and the roster was completely overhauled in an attempt to build a team that fit around Luka Doncic.
The Lakers added seven non-rookies in the hopes of constructing a more cohesive unit around the ball-dominant Doncic. The front office also retained Austin Reaves, while letting the likes of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes walk. Change does not guarantee improvement, though, and that is the dominant question for Los Angeles this season.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Is Walker Kessler everything he’s said to be?
One of the shiny, new toys for Doncic — arguably the biggest and the shiniest — is Kessler. Los Angeles shipped off unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, as well as first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. In theory, Kessler is a rim-protecting shot-blocker who is perfect as a backstop for a defense that will have subpar perimeter defenders in Doncic and Reaves at the point of attack. In his first three seasons, Kessler ranked in the 95th percentile or higher in block rate and the 73rd percentile or higher in foul rate. However, Kessler has not exactly been available over the last two seasons. In total, he played just 63 games over the last two seasons for Utah. And while he can be an effective player, he is not exactly the perfect lob threat at the position that usually thrives with Doncic running the point.
How elite can the pairing of Reaves and Doncic be?
To say Reaves and Doncic worked well together is an understatement. When those two shared the floor, the Lakers’ offense was elite. Los Angeles averaged 120.3 points per 100 possessions in those minutes and posted a +9.1 net rating. The team ranked in the 96th percentile in halfcourt offensive efficiency in those possessions. Together, they are an incredible offensive pairing, and they will be a threat against any defense. Where the team will need to improve is in the minutes in which Reaves was alone. In the possessions with Reaves on the floor and Doncic off the floor, the net rating plummeted to -1.5 per 100 possessions. The offensive rating of 116.1 was good for just the 57th percentile. A team without Doncic on the floor getting worse isn’t breaking news, but those are below-average returns. Reaves will need to show he can get this team to play at a higher level when Doncic either misses time or is just getting a breather.
Will this team be any good on defense?
Schematically, there is no question the Lakers will be fine on defense. JJ Redick has proven to be a very strong gameplanner, and every night the team will have a plan for whichever opponent lines up across from them. But do they have the talent to execute? Both Reaves and Doncic are subpar defenders at the positions they play. The projected depth chart has Quentin Grimes and Jake LaRavia slotted in as starters. Who in the world is taking on the toughest defensive perimeter assignment among those four and winning defensive possessions more often than not? We saw the Jazz of a few seasons ago put all the pressure on Rudy Gobert to be that team’s lone defensive presence, and it did not work well in the postseason — just ask Doncic. Kessler is no Gobert, at least not yet. What this team’s ceiling on defense is will ultimately determine how far they get.
WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: Over 45.5
