​The Los Angeles Lakers have pressed forward with the Luka Doncic era, dedicating the summer to rebuilding the roster around the point guard. The franchise’s options opened up after veteran LeBron James informed the team he wouldn’t be returning and would explore free agency, paving the way for a new direction. In this new plan, adding a skilled center to complement Doncic quickly became a priority, a point underscored by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who noted that Doncic had requested an “A-List” center. Last season, Deandre Ayton spent most of his time at the position but opted to exercise his player option for the upcoming year. Following the Lakers’ summer moves, Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards. Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, averaged 12.5 points and eight rebounds in 72 games for Los Angeles this past season.
While the Lakers overhauled much of their roster, they were able to retain Austin Reaves, who has continued to develop into a key piece for the franchise after initially going undrafted. Reaves battled injuries this past season, limiting him to 51 games (45 starts), yet when healthy he proved capable of serving as a reliable secondary option to Doncic. He burst onto the scene with a scorching start, dropping 51 points in his third game of the season against the Sacramento Kings, followed by a 41-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers the very next night. Going forward, the Lakers will need Reaves to grow as a defender as well, though his physical profile by NBA standards does present some limitations. He ultimately signed a four-year contract worth $184.7 million, signaling the franchise’s belief in his continued development alongside Doncic.
The Lakers also acquired Walker Kessler, signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal. However, the transaction required significant compensation: the team secured Kessler from the Utah Jazz by surrendering unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and swapping first-round picks in 2028 and 2030. While Kessler will be under a substantial four-year contract, the true grade of the move is tempered by what the Lakers gave up to obtain him. The trade and signing package earns an overall grade of B-, acknowledging the potential impact Kessler could have on the frontcourt while recognizing the cost.
Sexton was obtained to provide depth at guard and to supply a potential scoring threat off the bench. He is likely to log multiple starts this coming season, given that Doncic and Reaves both missed time during parts of the previous year. Sexton inked a two-year contract worth $19.2 million, a deal that provides the Lakers with a reliable guard option without overcommitting long-term at the position. The return on investment here is modest but meaningful in terms of depth and scoring off the bench, and the grade reflects that measured value.
Grimes joined the team on a four-year deal worth $60 million, which places high expectations on him as a guard and defender. Many observers believe Grimes has the potential to contribute significantly, and his deal signals the Lakers’ intent to strengthen the wing and guard positions with a player who can grow into a more prominent role. The combination of these moves indicates the Lakers’ strategy to balance star-powered offense with a sturdy, well-rounded supporting cast.
Overall, the Lakers’ summer strategy has been to preserve a core that complements Doncic while shoring up frontcourt presence with a high-profile center and a versatile guard rotation. Reaves’ re-signing anchors the backcourt complement, with Sexton’s depth and Grimes’ wing/guard versatility aiming to provide shooting and defense across multiple lineups. The departure of Ayton to the Wizards marks a shift, but the resulting ensemble is designed to maximize Doncic’s impact, create credible depth, and maintain flexibility for the evolving NBA landscape. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how these pieces fit around Doncic and whether the Lakers can translate summer plans into sustained success on the court.