What to Expect from the 2025-2026 Lakers This Season
The Los Angeles Lakers' last season did not go as planned for many fans. Although they traded for young star Luka Dončić, they got rid of defensive superstar Anthony Davis, which left the Lakers without a key piece to a good playoff run, defense. After being knocked out of the first round in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers made some significant moves this offseason that can help the team secure their 18th championship. With some of these moves and improvement from their young players during the NBA Summer League, Lakers fans should be thrilled to see their team suit up in the purple and gold for 82 games this season.
The Lakers signed the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, center DeAndre Ayton from the Portland Trail Blazers, as they desperately needed a center who could get rebounds, run the floor, get in transition, and make some defensive stops. Ayton averaged a double-double this year, with 14 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. They also acquired Jake LaRavia from the Sacramento Kings, who shot around 42% from three-point range in over two attempts per game. To top it off, they signed Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, not only to guard the best players on the opposing team but also to provide leadership in the young LA locker room.
Although the Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Rockets in free agency, there are high expectations for this Lakers squad. With Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and other key players such as Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and Bronny James, Lakers fans should be excited about the upcoming season and expect big things from this team. It will be a test to see how this new Lakers team meshes together in the preseason and early games of the season. However, there are high hopes, and it will be exciting to see what happens throughout the season.
The pieces the Lakers picked up increase their chance of securing their 18th championship because they now have depth, especially on the defensive end, and they have an offensive dynamite team with shooters and ball handlers ready to step in and make a play. Combining this with the dynamic defense and improved rebounding, the Lakers are poised to make a run this upcoming season. It should be an exciting season for Lakers fans to tune into, and the Lakers open their preseason in a neutral site on October 3rd, where they will take on the Phoenix Suns. With fresh faces, a stronger defense, and plenty of star power, the Lakers are set to show the league that they are ready for their 18th championship to return to the city of Los Angeles.
