The Los Angeles Lakers are starting the 2026 season looking up at ten other teams, with ESPN’s NBA power rankings placing them at No. 11, a dip from last year’s No. 9 spot. Talk about a cold dose of reality for a franchise that’s been all about LeBron James for the last eight years.
The King Is Gone, And So Is Their Rank
It’s gonna feel wild watching the Lakers without LeBron out there. Seriously, think about it: eight seasons of him in the purple and gold, defining their golden years, and now he’s with the Philadelphia 76ers on a whole different coast. That’s a massive shift, not just for the fans, but for James himself and the entire Lakers organization. ESPN made it clear, losing James is an obvious gut punch. But the worry runs deeper than just his exit.
A Future On the Line for Luka Doncic
Dave McMenamin from ESPN hit us with the details: James’ agent, Rich Paul, told the Lakers he was out eight hours before free agency officially opened. With James gone, the franchise went all-in to rebuild around superstar Luka Doncic. They pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Jazz for 7-2 center Kessler. L.A. threw down a massive four years, $130 million, and basically emptied their future asset cupboard, sending Utah two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps to get the deal done. McMenamin put it bluntly: this move could make or break Doncic’s entire tenure as a Laker. It’s a huge roll of the dice, folks.
The Lakers are facing some serious questions in this post-LeBron era. This franchise isn’t one to just roll over and take it, so you know they’ll be fighting. But man, you gotta wonder how fast they can get back on their feet after swinging for the fences like that. Every single game is gonna be a test of whether that massive gamble on Doncic pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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