Los Angeles Lakers season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

2025-26 finish

Record: 53-29 (4th in the West; lost 4-0 in West semifinals to Thunder)

Offseason moves

Draft: Cameron Carr (No. 24)

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Signings: Austin Reaves (re-signed for 4 years, $180 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (4 year, $52 million), Quentin Grimes (4 years, $60 million), Collin Sexton (2 years, $19 million), Kevon Looney (1 year, $3.9 million), Ziaire Williams (1 year, $3 million), Matisse Thybulle (1 year, $3.3 million)

Trades: Walker Kessler (from Jazz), Jaden Hardy (from Wizards)

Key departures: LeBron James (signed with 76ers), Luke Kennard (signed with Suns), Marcus Smart (signed with Rockets), Jaxson Hayes (signed with Jazz), Deandre Ayton (traded to Wizards), Rui Hachimura (signed with Clippers)

Current roster

Preseason Power Rankings: No. 6

What’s exciting: Kessler could be the best center that Luka has ever played with. Kessler sets hard screens, rolls hard, and can make quick decisions as a passer. Last season, he also began to show off a spot-up 3-pointer. Kessler is at his best on defense, though. In his career, opponents shoot only 50.6% on shots within six feet of the rim, which is 13.3% worse than their average in those situations. So he’s an elite rim protector who also brings the precise offensive traits that a center for Luka would ideally have. With Kessler, more shooters on the team, and Luka in the best shape of his career, this could end up Luka’s first MVP season.

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What’s concerning: We’re gonna find out how much perimeter defenders actually matter. Dončić and Reaves obviously aren’t stoppers. But neither is Mamu, Grimes, Sexton, or Jake LaRavia. Maybe Kessler will clean up everything in the paint, but what happens when he’s off the floor? Can the Lakers hold up? There is no doubt about what they can become offensively, but winning a title typically requires more success on defense than what the Lakers project to offer. — Kevin O’Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Fantasy watch

Quentin…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/los-angeles-lakers-season-preview-opening-schedule-win-projection-and-everything-to-know-for-2026-27-145506825.html

Author : Yahoo Sports Staff

Publish date : 2026-10-15 14:55:00

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