LeBron James got the basketball fans around the world on the edge of their seats as he announced his “Second Decision”.
The rumors were that he would announce his retirement at the end of the season, which saw the tickets for the final Lakers’ game of the year jump by 700%, but it ended up being just an ad.
Still, it was a great hype for the Lakers, as the beginning of the 2025-26 season is just around the corner. After early playoff exits in the last two seasons, the Lakers are ready for another push, hoping that this time they will have a chance to play for the championship. The competition in the Western Conference is tighter than ever, but the Lakers have a reason to believe they can go all the way.
The main reason for that is Luka Doncic, who will be the player to watch in the MVP race this season. The Slovenian was caught off guard last season when the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade him to LA, a move that immediately shifted the Vegas odds in the Lakers’ favor.
In the offseason, he put in the work, and it looks like he is in the best shape of his life. Doncic has changed his body and proved that he is on top of the game at the 2025 EuroBasket, leading all the scorers, averaging over 35 points per game. There is no doubt that Doncic is ready to take over the league, but at the same time, he will need all the help from his teammates.
LeBron James will turn 41 by the end of the year, and head coach JJ Redick will need to handle his minutes wisely. James has no issue in taking the back seat behind Doncic, and regardless of his age, he can still do everything on the court. His class and experience would be very valuable in the playoffs, and the main thing for him is to stay healthy. Vegas odds for all sports list the Lakers as a mid-tier contender, reflecting both their veteran talent and questions about depth.
Austin Reaves is another important piece of the Lakers’ puzzle. This would probably be the do-or-die season for him in LA. Many believed that he would be traded after Doncic’s arrival, but Reaves himself made it clear that he wants to be a part of this team.
The Lakers were active at the offseason market, landing a couple of experienced players. Center DeAndre Ayton will fill in the gap after Anthony Davis’ departure. Of course, the 2018 first overall pick will not be able to be as effective in the offense, but he is expected to make his presence felt on the defensive end.
Marcus Smart is another defensive asset the Lakers added in the offseason. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year had a couple of slow seasons after leaving Boston, but this may be the game-changer for him. Smart has no problem getting the dirty job done and is an ideal player next to Doncic. Smart shot a career-high 39.2% from three-point territory last season with the Washington Wizards, and playing next to Doncic and James will get him many open shots.
Still, the Lakers’ bench is not on the needed level to make them a real threat to teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Denver Nuggets. Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt have been struggling with injuries in recent seasons. Dalton Knecht is going into his second season in the league and is another player who can benefit from playing next to superstars. The rest of the bench is filled with players who can not make a significant impact at the moment.
That means the Lakers should consider making a couple of adjustments as the season progresses. Adding a veteran center like Jusuf Nurkic may be the right move for them. The Bosnian can be effective on both ends of the floor, and neither he nor the Utah Jazz is willing for their connection to last. Nurkic can step in both as a starter or a backup and is ready to go against any big man in the league. James has shown respect for Nurkic, and the Lakers’ fans can expect to see him in the “purple and gold” by the end of the season.
Jrue Holiday unexpectedly ended up in Portland, which is not a team he wants to be on at this stage of his career. The veteran point guard has been on championship teams before, and if he and the Blazers agree on a buyout, the Lakers need to be ready.
With his versatility, Doncic and James can see the Lakers jump from just a contender to a front-runner in the championship race.
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