The LA Lakers have made some serious moves this offseason, but the big question is: Will it be enough to compete for the ultimate prize—a championship? With Luka Doncic joining the squad and LeBron James still at the peak of his powers, the Lakers have arguably the best duo in the NBA. But the road to an NBA title is never easy, and the Lakers know they’ve got some work to do to make it happen.
It didn’t exactly start smoothly for general manager Rob Pelinka, though. Early in the offseason, the Lakers lost out on Dorian Finney-Smith after negotiations went south. However, Pelinka quickly bounced back, signing Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton to shore up some weaknesses. And perhaps the biggest move of all: Luka Doncic joined the Lakers in a trade that stunned the league, giving the Lakers a new shot at the throne.
So, what can we expect from this revamped Lakers squad in the 2025-26 season? Let’s take a look at their projected starting lineup:
2025-26 LA Lakers Projected Starting Lineup
- Luka Doncic
- Austin Reaves
- LeBron James
- Rui Hachimura
- Deandre Ayton
Second Unit:
- Marcus Smart
- Gabe Vincent
- Jake LaRavia
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Jaxson Hayes
With this mix of established stars and fresh faces, the Lakers’ lineup is looking stacked. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. An anonymous NBA executive praised the Lakers’ offseason moves, suggesting they’ve set themselves up for a solid run at the championship.
Luka and LeBron: A Championship Duo?
Landing Luka Doncic in a trade that no one saw coming was a game-changer for the Lakers. Pairing him with LeBron James gives them a lethal combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ. From a pure talent perspective, this could be one of the greatest duos the NBA has ever seen. But talent alone doesn’t win titles.
Last season, the Lakers found themselves lacking the right pieces around their stars, and it ultimately cost them a deeper playoff run. The early playoff exit in the first round was a tough pill to swallow for fans and players alike. This season, however, the Lakers have retooled, and they’re hoping they’ve addressed their weaknesses with their new signings.
If Luka and LeBron can stay healthy and the new roster gel quickly, the Lakers could very well be poised for a deep postseason run. But with the loaded Western Conference and a roster still finding its rhythm, the pressure is on. One thing’s for sure: the Lakers are hungry, and they’re ready to fight for that championship. The question now is whether this new-look team can pull it all together when it matters most.
