Former Lakers guard Derek Fisher isn’t mincing words about his old team’s chances, delivering a stark reality check for their almost brand-new roster heading into the 2026-27 NBA season. On a recent episode of the D-Fish & Decker Show, Fisher, who snagged five titles with the Lakers, was asked about the team’s missing pieces compared to the top teams in the Western Conference. His answer was brutally simple: “Like missing compared to what? To Oklahoma City? Oh, yeah… To San Antonio? Oh, yeah.”
The Brutal Comparison
That’s the truth bomb right there. Oklahoma City and San Antonio weren’t just good last season, they were absolutely dominant. The Thunder blazed through 2025-26 with a league-best 64-18 record. Right behind them, the Spurs held strong at 62-20. Trying to beat these squads was a nightmare for everyone, and the Lakers, despite their 53-29 record, were no different. In fact, they got wrecked more than most. They went 0-4 against the Thunder and 1-3 against the Spurs, finishing a miserable 1-7 overall. Six of those seven losses? By double digits. These young, athletic teams just ate them alive, plain and simple.
New Roster, Old Problems?
The Lakers tried to fix things up this summer, getting “much younger.” Seriously, they only have one guy in his 30s now, 30-year-old Kevon Looney. And yeah, with Luka Doncic leading the charge, their offense should be great. But here’s the kicker, the defense? That’s the real problem. Their 115.5 defensive rating last season ranked a dismal 20th in the NBA. You gotta wonder how much they can even improve that this year. They brought in Walker Kessler, a “great defensive anchor” at center, which is awesome. But what about the rest of the starting lineup? Doncic and Austin Reaves are not getting All-Defensive team considerations ever in their careers. Doncic showed some improvement defensively last season, but that backcourt is still weak. Quentin Grimes is likely the fourth starter, and he’s a solid defender, but if he’s your best perimeter defender in the starting five? That’s not ideal.
The Gaping Hole
Then there’s the fifth starter, the power forward spot. It’s still a complete mystery. The Lakers reportedly wanted Jonathan Kuminga, but he bolted for the Minnesota Timberwolves instead. So now, their options at the four are Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, and Jake LaRavia. Mamukelashvili is a poor defender, so you can probably count him out. Williams and LaRavia are decent defenders, sure, but they’re just inconsistent offensively and not great shooters. There’s no ideal internal solution there, and Fisher hit it spot on: that’s a big missing piece. Meanwhile, the Thunder are still looking scary with a likely starting five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein, plus bench guys like Alex Caruso. They’re a “dominant defensive team” with enough offense around two-time MVP Gilgeous-Alexander when healthy. And the Spurs? They’re probably rolling out De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Tobias Harris, and Victor Wembanyama. That’s a serious squad.
So, as the new season looms, Fisher’s warning echoes loud and clear. Can the Lakers’ “almost brand-new” roster really compete with the West’s absolute best when their defense still looks shaky and they’ve got a major hole at power forward? It’s not just about getting younger, it’s about proving they can stand toe-to-toe with these athletic juggernauts. Right now, Fisher’s not buying it, and based on last season’s beatdowns, who can blame him?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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