The Lakers enter the 2025–26 season forced to adapt immediately—LeBron James will miss opening night and the entire preseason due to sciatica on his right side. The team expects him out for at least three to four weeks, eliminating any chance for a full-strength lineup until November. With James sidelined, the spotlight intensifies on a roster headlined by Luka Dončić, dynamic scorer Austin Reaves, and new frontcourt anchor Deandre Ayton.
Oddsmakers at IgnitionCasino Australia list Los Angeles at +850 odds to win the 2026 NBA Championship, fourth in the league behind Boston, Denver, and Milwaukee. The odds reflect potential and uncertainty—especially given LeBron’s key role and present absence. The Lakers face an immediate health management and chemistry test as they open the year against Golden State at home.
The Luka–LeBron Dynamic Is Put on Hold
Last year’s blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić immediately shifted the Lakers’ identity, sparking a 15–8 record in his first 23 games. Dončić averaged 29.1 points, 9.7 assists, and 8.4 rebounds as a Laker, but was still adjusting to split leadership with James. Plans for an expanded pick-and-roll partnership between the two stars now must wait. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that LeBron’s sciatica will keep him off the court for at least the first five or six games, possibly longer.
Despite the perfect partner-in-crime to all-time great LeBron James, it wasn’t enough to get the Lakers into championship contention. The 17-time champions were stunned in the opening round of the postseason by an Anthony Edwards-led Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the second straight season that the Wolves dispatched Los Angeles in the playoffs.
With LeBron absent, Dončić steps fully into the primary initiator role. His ability to carry the offense will set the tone for the season’s start. Dončić’s improved conditioning and EuroBasket summer have Lakers staff optimistic about early pace, but integrating him with a roster missing its longtime leader is an uphill challenge.
Austin Reaves Steps Into the Spotlight
Austin Reaves’ importance increases sharply. The 26-year-old guard is fresh off a career year—averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across 73 games. He shot 37.7% from three and proved capable of sustained scoring and playmaking alongside stars. Reaves turned down an $89 million extension, betting on his ability to thrive as the secondary creator. This season’s opening stretch will be his proving ground.
Redick has tailored the offense to leverage Reaves’ skills with more ball-handling opportunities and off-ball action. The Lakers need him to maintain efficiency while increasing usage. If he continues to produce, he cements his value as a foundational piece and a potential All-Star. If he falters, front office decisions could shift as LeBron targets a mid-season return.
Deandre Ayton Anchors the Paint
The center position will be anchored by Deandre Ayton, who joined Los Angeles via Portland last summer. Ayton’s production last year—14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds over 40 games—offers a dependable floor, but the Lakers are hoping for more. His presence must stabilize rebounding and rim protection, with the Lakers structuring defensive schemes to maximize Ayton’s strengths.
Ayton has improved pick-and-roll timing with Dončić; camp reports indicate positive early chemistry. Redick’s plan is simple efficiency: Ayton’s role focuses on screening, rolling, finishing, and defending—less on post isolation. Redick and the staff want to see Ayton’s consistency translate over a long season, giving the Lakers interior stability they’ve often lacked.
Depth and First Impressions
The Lakers have rebuilt significant rotational depth, with Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent healthy entering the campaign. Rookie Bronny James is expected to spend the early weeks developing in South Bay but is on track for NBA minutes later in the season. The front office targets a top-10 finish in defensive rating and tighter turnover numbers. Early-season tests come quickly—after Golden State, matchups against Denver and Dallas loom. These games will reveal how the Lakers respond without their leader and if Dončić, Reaves, and Ayton can foster winning chemistry under pressure.
Looking Ahead
Health will dictate everything for this Lakers roster. The team’s championship odds show that belief in its ceiling remains strong, but the margin for error is slim—especially with LeBron missing time for the first opening month in his career. For Los Angeles, this season’s window depends on steady execution, injury management, and the alignment of its stars. If Reaves and Dončić mesh, and Ayton anchors the paint, the Lakers will remain in the championship conversation when LeBron returns.
The question isn’t just about title contention—it’s whether the Lakers’ supporting cast can seize the moment and maintain momentum until the leader returns. The answer will define the narrative in Los Angeles all season long.
