The Lakeshow Review

The 2026 Los Angeles Lakers will sport a significantly different outlook than they did last season. The additions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will give the team a different perspective, one which they did not have last year. Ayton will give the team a much needed boost in the front court. Marcus Smart’s defensive tenacity and leadership will also be a welcome addition to a team that’s lacking dogs on the perimeter. With that said, none of the contributions provided by the team’s newcomers will have the impact of what the team’s returning players can bring to the table.

Firstly, there’s Luka Dončić. There are rumblings that the Slovenian superstar has been diligently working on his training and diet this summer, which has done a number on his physique. He’s apparently looking slimmer, more defined, and more athletic; even gracing the cover of Men’s Health Magazine just recently. Luka will be the biggest key to LAs success this season. If Slim Luka is indeed a thing, the Lakers will be one of the more formidable teams in the Western Conference. Being traded from the Mavericks, and having his name dragged around the media by GM Nico Harrison and the rest of the Mav’s front office seems to have lit a fire in Luka. Hopefully that fire will last through this season, and his entire Lakers career for that matter. When healthy and on his game, Luka is very easily on the short list of best players on the planet. Only two seasons ago, he was scoring champion, and led Dallas to its first finals berth since 2011. Luka is, without a doubt, a player one can construct a roster around and expect to go places. However, Luka’s success starts with Luka. If he’s in tip-top condition then that is a game changer. It allows him to be the best version of himself, while getting the most out of his elite skillset.

Then there are the next names on the totem pole. Namely shooting guard Austin Reaves, who has plans for a lucrative payday when he can opt out of his contract after the 2025-26 season. AR is coming off a career season in points, rebounds and assists as well as overall usage rate. If he can replicate or better yet build upon these impressive totals, he’ll almost certainly put himself in position for that big payday. For all of his virtues, Austin’t big weakness remains his defense. It’s been a constant “go-to” on opposing teams’ game plans as far as areas to pick on and exploit. To remedy this, AR has been reportedly working overtime this summer in order to improve in that aspect of his game. Time will tell how all of that work is going to pay off. But one thing is for certain; Austin Reaves’ defense is crucial for the Lakers to make a leap as a team. He is usually the weakest link on the court on the defensive end, as his lack of foot speed and agility usually inhibits him from consistently staying in front of his matchup. This rose to the forefront during the playoffs, where AR was heavily targeted and switch-hunted by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first round of the NBA playoffs. If Reaves can work himself to merely an ‘average’ defender, then that will go a long ways to helping the team. When you consider his offensive prowess, working himself to being merely an ‘average’ defender would multiply his value significantly. He’s already one of the team’s best players, and adding that league-average defensive capability will only solidify that. Not to mention further propel him into elite second option territory. The addition of Marcus Smart should help the team’s defensive makeup, but ARs individual improvement will be crucial given his tremendous value on the offensive side. If Austin does in fact level up on his defensive capabilities, LA will not hesitate to give him that fat contract.

While individual improvements are of great importance, team improvements are perhaps of equal if not greater magnitude. Head Coach JJ Redick will have to show improvement as a game-planner and decision-maker. During the playoffs, he was clearly outclassed by a more savvy and experienced Chris Finch of Minnesota. The gap in experience between the two coaches is substantial and certainly played a role in this matchup. But LAs coaching staff did not bring much to the table in the form of adjustments. They went out by stubbornly sticking to their original game plan and had no answers for the wrinkles that the Timberwolves hurled in their direction. Hopefully the one year of experience will give the coaching staff enough of a “battle test” to return in better form next year. In the Western Conference, every team is well coached. Particularly those in the elite tiers (the OKS, Houstons, Denvers, Minnesotas, etc.). LA will have to fight fire with fire when matching up with other Wetsern Conference foes and their coaching staffs, and ultimately hold their own over the course of a hard fought playoff series, where savvy game-planning is at a premium. Hopefully last season’s failures will serve as learning experiences to be parlayed into greater playoff success next season. If not, this coaching staff might find itself on the hot seat if they don’t live up to the standards set by the organization’s new ownership group.

The Lakers’ offseason has certainly been encouraging. Progress has been made when it comes to adding the necessary pieces to improve the roster. But LAs real improvement will have to come from within. From their star players, to the coaches, to the overarching culture established by the front office which will define the coaching staff as well as the locker room. This internal growth will set the table for the newcomers to shine and show their value. Ultimately, it starts with those at the top. Establishing a culture will be crucial to elevating the on-court results, thus the Lakers need leaders that are willing to demand excellence. If these lessons are learned, then the team will be pushing in the right direction. And that’s all we can ask for.