The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2026-27 NBA season with an uncertain ceiling, drawing a range of opinions on their prospects. Charles Barkley suggested the team is "probably better" than the 2024 Dallas Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals led by Luka Doncic. However, veteran NBA player Norman Powell, while with the Miami Heat, named the Lakers as the league's most overrated team.
The Lakers have undergone significant roster changes, including the departure of LeBron James, who spent eight seasons with the team and led them to a championship in 2020. The team has added 10 new players and is banking on the development of center Walker Kessler. Coach JJ Redick will be tasked with integrating these new pieces.
Concerns have been raised about the Lakers' perimeter defense and the need for chemistry to develop. It remains to be seen if Kessler, acquired by trading two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps, and Austin Reaves, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal, will meet expectations.
The Western Conference is considered exceptionally deep, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs possessing young, talented rosters. The Lakers' previous performance against the Thunder last season, which included four regular-season losses by an average of 29.3 points and a second-round playoff sweep, is cited as a point of concern. The Spurs ultimately reached the NBA Finals, defeating the Thunder.
While the Lakers have become younger and faster, and added a skilled center, they are seen as still being on the path to contention rather than having arrived. The acquisition of Luka Doncic in a trade from the Mavericks in February 2025 is a significant factor. Doncic led the league in scoring last season and was a finalist for MVP. His performance in March, averaging 37.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, propelled the Lakers to a 15-2 record before a hamstring injury sidelined him for the playoffs. Despite Doncic's presence, the assessment is that he still lacks sufficient support to surpass the top teams in the West.
Kessler, signed to a four-year, $130 million deal, is recognized as one of the league's top rebounders and rim protectors. However, the team is considered to need near-perfect execution to contend for a championship.
While the Lakers could potentially finish in the top four of the Western Conference, reaching the NBA Finals is viewed as unlikely by some analysts. The team is seen as being "on the freeway" toward competing for a championship, but still a considerable distance from achieving that goal.