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3 Burning Questions For Lakers Heading Into 2025-26 Season

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The Los Angeles Lakers are so popular that they often seem like they’re at the center of the sports world. Yet, looking at the state of the franchise, they’re currently in the middle of two worlds. So, preparing for past and future as they head into the 2025-26 season, they’re faced with several burning questions.

3 Burning Questions For Lakers Heading Into 2025-26 Season

Will Luka Doncic’s Weight Loss Pay Off?

Last season, Lakers franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic was being shamed.

At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he undoubtedly has rare size as a natural point guard. Furthermore, Doncic isn’t afraid to get physical, so his physique was a strength in myriad ways. Yet, at a time when professional athletes are expected to be in peak condition, the 26-year-old was.. well.. pudgy.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrate after a play during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Doncic didn’t have to be ripped to make the game of basketball look like child’s play. Nonetheless, while Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison wasn’t the right messenger for an incensed franchise, there was some merit to his criticism.

Doncic’s weight impacted his lateral movement, which in turn affected his defense. Though he’s had solid defensive performances, it’s a weak point for him. The number of injuries that Doncic has sustained in recent years could be partially attributed to his poor nutritional habits as well. That being said, the fact his conditioning was even a concern at all spoke to a lack of discipline and maturity.

Now that Doncic is looking as sleek as ever though, the thinking is that his game will too.

What’s The Deal With LeBron James?

An educated guess is that LeBron James will at least begin next season with the Lakers. Yet, his behavior this offseason does deserve the speculation that it’s generated, not in the least because The Chosen One has a reputation for being Delphic. So many times this offseason, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst’s infamous meme has been fitting for something James has done.

Why is he at the Cleveland Cavaliers training facility?

What are those Welcome Home hats about?

Why hadn’t he welcomed 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to the team by the time he had his introductory press conference?

Why had he not been communicating with former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton?

Where was he when the Lakers held a presser for Doncic signing his max contract extension?

What is this buzz that he’s been thinking about joining the Dallas Mavericks?

At some point, it does start to look like James has started to look around for the exit sign, especially with his impending retirement and connection to the Cavs. All things being equal, he might already have walked out the door. Regardless of that, the Lakers have him under contract for at least one more season.

With James returning, Doncic in arguably the best shape of his career, Austin Reaves entering his prime and a rotation with multiple players who have been high-level starters, L.A. is a legitimate title-contender.

Will They Win It All?

Not many teams have two players who are arguably in the top-10 on their roster. So, so long as the Lakers have James and Doncic, there won’t be a lot of competition for their top-end talent. In the regular season, this could be what leads them to beat up on the weaker teams. In the playoffs, it could be the difference making it to the next round or being eliminated.

Basketball nor the NBA are always that cut-and-dry of black-and-white. However, the bottom line is that the Lakers have an advantage over most teams at the offensive end. There will likely be nights when they aren’t the most prolific 3-point shooting team. Yet, they have two perennial All-NBA players that excel at creating for themselves and others. With Reaves as an x-factor, they should be able to take on even the toughest defenses.

Whether they can hold up at their own end defensively is another matter.

Doncic still has to prove his weight loss will translate to improved point-of-attack defense. Reaves has been vulnerable when faced with athletic and skilled perimeter players. James’s activity level is seemingly impacted by his age and he’s not getting any younger. Smart has frequently been injured as of late. Ayton’s sputtering motor lowers ceiling (or, in this case, his hood).

© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

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