Hanifan’s offseason outlook: Evaluating the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 offseason

Los Angeles Lakers Offseason — (Mandatory Credit: Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The calendar has turned to September. You know what that means, right?! Our offseason outlook series is back for the third-straight year!

Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will be going in alphabetical order, beginning with the Eastern Conference. After examining the Los Angeles Clippers’ offseason, let’s look at the Lakers’ summer!

Previous offseason outlooks:

Evaluating the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 offseason:

Additions: Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Jaden Hardy, Ziarie Williams

Subtractions: LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes

Re-signed: Austin Reaves

Draft: Cameron Carr (drafted No. 24 overall)

Hanifan’s outlook: The Lakers had a pretty successful first full season with Luka Doncic, winning 53 games with a top-10 offense. However, they ran into the Oklahoma City Thunder, who swept them in the Western Conference semis. Doncic finished fourth in MVP voting while earning a first-team All-NBA nod for the first time since 2023-24.

Now, Doncic will be working with an entirely new roster.

LeBron James told the Lakers earlier this offseason that he was not returning after eight seasons, opening up north of $50 million in cap space for the Lakers. They didn’t waste any time spending it. They acquired Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade, signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton … all within a span of 90-ish minutes on the second day of free agency.

The Kessler deal was rich. Kessler, a restricted free agent, signed a $130 million deal, and to prevent the Jazz from matching, the Lakers dealt two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps. Los Angeles had reportedly pursued Kessler multiple times in the past, so it wasn’t a surprise they circled back. However, it did surprise me that it cost four firsts after he played just five games last season.

Los Angeles will need him, too. As much as I wanted the Heat to target both Mamukelashvili and Grimes, neither would shore up its pre-existing concerns defensively. The same could be said for Sexton, Looney or Cameron Carr, the Lakers’ No. 24 overall draft choice.

Speaking of Carr: That was my favorite move of theirs this offseason. He was a top-10 prospect in my eyes, although he’s going to have to bulk up and improve his handle. But the Baylor alum is a freakish athlete with NBA range and intriguing shot-blocking ability at 6-foot-5.