Luka Doncic wasn’t shy about his influence on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster decisions this upcoming season, telling Sports Illustrated the front office consulted him on “probably everything” after LeBron James’ exit. This isn’t just a slight nod or a quick chat; this is the undisputed superstar getting the keys to the entire operation. With a smile on his face, Doncic made it clear: this is *his* team now.
Out With The Old, In With Luka’s Guys
The Lakers are going to look completely different for the 2026-27 season. LeBron James is gone, obviously the biggest headline, but he’s far from the only major departure. We’re talking Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes all out the door. That’s a serious overhaul.
But in comes a whole new crew: Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle, and Cameron Carr. That’s a lot of new faces! Perhaps the most important move, though, was bringing back Austin Reaves, who’s now the presumed No. 2 option in the offense alongside Doncic. Luka himself sounds optimistic about the changes, stating, “I think we have a great team. … I think we’re very deep, which is very important, especially going through the playoffs.” It sure sounds like he got to pick his teammates, and he thinks he built a winner.
The Keys Are Officially Luka’s, And He’s Ready To Drive
There’s absolutely no question now: the show runs through Luka Doncic. He’s one of the best players in the NBA, and with James gone, he’ll have the ball in his hands even more. We all know what that means. His ability to hit from the outside is going to stretch defenses, creating open looks for everyone else. When he drives, those lob passes are going to be flying. He clearly found success with that move back with the Dallas Mavericks, and you know he’s going to be looking to connect with Walker Kessler especially when he gets around the rim. That’s a combo to watch.
It makes total sense the Lakers would lean on their new franchise cornerstone to maximize the roster. Now, it’s all on Doncic to live up to the massive expectations in what is always a grueling Western Conference. Get ready for a new era in L.A., and for Luka to put on a show.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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