Lakers offseason has been far more successful than anyone realizes
The Lakers’ offseason has been a success. An overwhelming success? No, that would be a bridge too far. Especially when factoring in the holes remaining on their roster seven weeks before training camp starts and some of the details with certain decisions. But considering what the Lakers’ goals and options were entering the summer, and what they have been able to accomplish with rebuilding the roster around franchise superstar guard Luka Doncic over the last 1 ½ months, the Lakers have delivered an offseason they should be proud of.Los Angeles brought back 28-year-old homegrown star Austin Reaves on a lucrative longterm contract (four years, $180 million) that’ll keep Reaves signed to the Lakers for what should be the prime of his career. The Lakers filled their biggest need by landing Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz to pair the 7-foot-2, 245-pound big man alongside Doncic and Reaves, and ending a multiyear saga of attempting to bring Kessler to Los Angeles.Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million) and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million) were complementary additions. Ziaire Williams (one year, $2.8 million) and Matisse Thybulle (one year, $3.3 million) were signings made to address the Lakers’ need for wings while clearly also having the upside to outperform their veteran’s minimum deals. Cameron Carr (first round draft pick), Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million) and Jaden Hardy (acquired from the Wizards) could factor into the Lakers’ rotation for 2026-27 to varying degrees.The Lakers addressed their biggest needs. They got younger and more athletic.They improved their collective perimeter defense while also adding more bench scoring. These moves came at a cost, though.LeBron James is no longer a Laker after eight seasons with the franchise, leaving for the 76ers as a free agent.Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Luke Kennard are also no longer on the roster, and w...