The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling into the 2026-27 season with a seriously different look, and it’s all centered around their new star trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. These three are already locked in as starters for head coach JJ Redick, and the buzz coming out of the offseason workouts is huge. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been watching them practice, and he’s absolutely raving about the connection he’s seeing.
This Trio is Built for Trouble (for Opponents!)
Look, Doncic and Reaves are clearly the top dogs on that Lakers roster right now. But what makes this new setup so exciting is Kessler, a center who Pelinka believes fits their playstyles perfectly. Both Doncic and Reaves are absolute pick-and-roll maestros, right? And Kessler? He’s shown he can be the ideal roll man, a serious lob threat, and even pop out for a shot. We saw glimpses of it in his five games during the 2025-26 season, and it sounds like he’s just hitting his stride. This isn’t just a collection of talent, it’s a strategic fit designed to make those two even more effective on the court. You gotta love it when players just click like that.
Pelinka’s Got the Inside Scoop and He’s Hyped
Pelinka hasn’t just been sitting on the sidelines; he’s been front and center for a ton of the Lakers’ offseason workouts. And what he’s witnessed from Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler playing together is apparently pure magic. He actually went on ESPN LA 710 and spilled the beans. “Already, the connection in the pickup games we’ve watched between Austin and Kessler, and Luka and Kessler, just in terms of what Kessler is in the pick-and-roll game,” Pelinka said. He didn’t stop there, adding, “He’s so elite at catching lobs. It really unlocks parts of Luka and Austin in the pick-and-roll that I think our fans are going to really enjoy watching.” Think about that for a second. An elite lob threat means Doncic and Reaves have another dimension, another option that makes their already lethal pick-and-roll even harder to guard. That kind of synergy? That’s what championship teams are built on.
This trio is already showing serious chemistry, and that’s just from offseason pickup games. Imagine what they’re gonna look like when the regular season gets going! Sure, the Lakers aren’t being called top contenders just yet, but if this connection keeps growing, this trio could be the spark that elevates them to that status. Get ready to watch these guys work; it sounds like it’s going to be a massive campaign.
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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