The Los Angeles Lakers completely overhauled their roster this summer, bringing in the likes of Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili while losing LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard.
Several members of the Lakers coaching staff and front office have expressed excitement about the new additions, believing they are better fits on the court with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
However, others around the NBA aren’t convinced that the Lakers have significantly improved their outlook going into the 2026-27 season.
Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr. said during a livestream with N3on that he doesn’t think the Lakers have a championship-contending roster.
“Yeah. I don’t like that roster… They might be solid. But I don't see them winning a [championship]."
Michael Porter Jr. on the Lakers 👀
(via @N3onOnYT)pic.twitter.com/1jx4oMMDUC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2026
Porter is the second player to take a shot at the Lakers over the past week, with Chicago Bulls guard Norman Powell previously calling them the most overrated team in the league. Powell made those comments during a separate livestream with N3on.
Some pessimism around the Lakers is to be expected given how tough the Western Conference remains, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder looking like juggernauts and the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves retooling their rosters during the offseason.
L.A.’s potential success next season will likely depend on Reaves and whether he takes the next step in his career after signing a maximum contract to remain with the Lakers. Additionally, the hope is that Kessler, who spent years on a rebuilding Utah Jazz team, can elevate into a championship-level center alongside Doncic.
Mark Walter sells Chelsea FC ownership stake
Mark Walter shocked the sports world earlier this year when it was announced he would be selling his controlling ownership stake in the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
Walter had just purchased his majority stake a year ago from the Buss family, and flipping a sports team that quickly was essentially unheard of. As Walter deals with a federal investigation for potential financial improprieties though, he has needed to come up with some cash quickly.
The Lakers’ sale was the first step he took, and now he and his business partner Todd Boehly have also sold their shares in Chelsea FC.
Walter, Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss each owner 12.8% of Chelsea with Clearlake previously controlling 61.5%. Clearlake is now acquiring Walter and Boehly’s shares while Wyss will remain involved as a shareholder and partner within the ownership group.
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