Lakers Announce Roster Overhaul, New Starting Five Projected for 2026-27 Season
Significant changes expected for the Lakers under coach JJ Redick, with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler as presumed starters.
The Los Angeles Lakers are set for a substantial roster transformation ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, with new faces dominating the team and a projected starting lineup featuring Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Following an offseason of considerable reconstruction, over half of the team's players will be new, alongside developing talents like second-year forward Adou Thiero and third-year guard Bronny James.
Projected Starting Lineup
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to anchor the starting lineup, having been the league's highest-scoring duo during the 2025-26 regular season. The Lakers made a significant investment in Walker Kessler, trading two unprotected and two protected first-round draft picks and committing to a contract worth at least $30 million per season over the next few years. Kessler is anticipated to be a starter, not a bench player, given the cost of acquisition.
Quentin Grimes is also projected as a Day 1 starter. His four-year, $60 million contract signed in July makes him the Lakers’ fourth-highest paid player this season. Grimes's complementary skills as a shooter and point-of-attack defender are seen as filling crucial needs around the team's marquee players. The fifth starting spot is anticipated to go to Jake LaRavia. LaRavia played in all 82 games during the 2025-26 season and started in nearly half of them when other starters were sidelined, earning the trust of the coaching staff. His familiarity with Doncic and Reaves is also a contributing factor.
Key Rotation Players
The Lakers' bench unit and rotation locks include Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle. Mamukelashvili, a 6-foot-9 forward, was signed to a four-year, $52 million contract and is expected to be a primary option off the bench, playing power forward or small-ball center.
Collin Sexton is projected to be the top guard coming off the bench. Coach JJ Redick has emphasized the need for improved dribbling, passing, and shooting, areas where Sexton and Mamukelashvili are considered strong contributors outside of Doncic and Reaves. Ziaire Williams, a lottery pick from 2021, enters his sixth season with untapped potential. Matisse Thybulle is recognized as the team's best perimeter defender, though questions remain about his durability after playing only 45 combined regular season games in the past two seasons.
Final Rotation Spot Contenders
With the Lakers often utilizing nine- or 10-man rotations, a competition is expected for the final spot. Candidates include Cameron Carr, Adou Thiero, Kevon Looney, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt offers strong defense but limited shooting, which could impact offensive spacing. Looney is a capable screener and rebounder but is coming off a season with limited playing time. Carr is a good shooter with athleticism but needs to improve his defensive strength. Thiero possesses excellent athleticism but requires skill refinement.
Sandro Mamukelashvili's ability to space the floor as a center could provide opportunities for Vanderbilt to serve as a defensive "swiss-army knife" alongside him. While Thiero might be a long-term focus, Vanderbilt is seen as ready to contribute to winning from day one. Carr and Thiero may earn minutes but will need to impress during training camp.
