Lakers' Big Three Must Achieve Elite Status for Championship Contention
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler face pressure to form a dominant trio in a highly competitive Western Conference.
For the Los Angeles Lakers to contend for a championship next season, their newly formed "Big Three" must ascend to elite status. Luka Doncic is expected to perform at an MVP level, Austin Reaves needs to establish himself as a borderline All-Star, and Walker Kessler must develop into an All-Defensive player.
Kessler, 25, presents the biggest question mark. He played only five games last season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder, requiring season-ending surgery. Having only played three seasons with the struggling Utah Jazz, his full capabilities remain largely untested. For the Lakers to become true contenders, Kessler needs to excel as a screen-setting, rim-running center on offense, creating opportunities for Doncic and Reaves, while simultaneously being a dominant defensive presence. His development is expected to mirror that of defensive anchors like Rudy Gobert or Chet Holmgren.
The Lakers acquired Kessler from the Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal, a move that cost them two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps. This significant investment means the Lakers will not have a tradable first-round draft pick for the next seven years, underscoring the necessity for Kessler to immediately fulfill his potential as the perfect complement to Doncic and Reaves.
The partnership between Doncic and Reaves has already demonstrated its potential. Last season, when LeBron James was sidelined due to sciatica, the duo led the Lakers to a 15-4 record. Their chemistry was further highlighted in March when James missed three games with various ailments, during which the Lakers secured victories against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. This stretch even sparked discussions about whether the Lakers performed better without James.
With James' departure to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, Doncic now assumes the primary leadership role. His decision to pair with Reaves and Kessler signifies their importance to the team's future. Reaves secured the richest contract for an undrafted player this summer, signing a four-year, $180 million deal. Kessler, aware of the Lakers' considerable assets invested in him, has expressed a strong commitment to the team.
The Lakers face a daunting challenge in the Western Conference, which features formidable trios such as the Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren), the San Antonio Spurs (Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle), and the Denver Nuggets (Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon). Notably, these teams possess established chemistry, with the Thunder winning the 2025 championship, the Spurs reaching the Finals last season, and the Nuggets core winning a title in 2023.
The Lakers must quickly develop synergy within their new core. Kessler's ability to prove himself and the collective chemistry between Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler will be crucial. If these elements align, the Lakers could emerge as serious championship contenders.