The Los Angeles Lakers are in training camp with a roster that looks almost nothing like the one that finished last season, and the transformation starts with one name: Luka Doncic.
After a full offseason of rehab from the hamstring injury that sidelined him late last year and through the playoffs, Doncic has been ramping up in Europe, hosting a Lakers mini camp before heading back to Los Angeles on September 20 to finish preparations. The Lakers are officially entering the “post-LeBron” chapter of their franchise, having parted ways with James this offseason to build fully around their 26-year-old star guard.
A Retooled Supporting Cast
The front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, has been aggressive in reshaping the roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are locks to anchor the starting five heading into the regular season. The biggest structural addition is center Walker Kessler, acquired in a trade that analysts have flagged as a strong fit next to Doncic’s playmaking. Kessler has already climbed 25 spots in ESPN’s player rankings since the move was announced.
Combined with returning forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, who has been turning heads with strong performances for Georgia at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the Lakers’ frontcourt now has more size and shooting than it did a year ago. Some fans and former players, including Matt Barnes, have taken to calling the retooled group the “Snowtime Lakers,” a nod to Doncic’s game and Slovenian roots.
The Path to Opening Night
With preseason games kicking off October 5, Redick will have roughly a week of training camp to evaluate how his new-look rotation fits together before live action begins. Reports out of camp suggest Redick’s staff is already testing lineup combinations built around Doncic’s ability to control tempo, with Kessler expected to anchor the interior on both ends.
For a Lakers team that hasn’t fully reset its core in years, the next month will answer the biggest question surrounding the franchise: can a roster built this quickly around a single superstar contend in a loaded Western Conference? That remains to be seen, but it should be a fun and new looking ride for the fans.