Time is a construct we humans made to contextualize life.
As arbitrary as time is, it does help place events in a specific place. It gives us fresh starts and resets days and years. With our calendars now set for 2026, the Lakers can start fresh, too.
Well, sort of.
It’s not a new season, but a new year brings new opportunities. The Larry O’Brien trophy is still up for grabs and the Lakers still have the trade deadline to make their attempt at winning that title as legitimate as possible.
Within the roster, there is room for improvement. We saw some of that improvement on display during the first week of 2026, but also signs that, while the dates might be changing, they’re still the same Lakers.
5 things I liked and didn’t like
1. Luka’s 3-point struggles
Luka Dončić is an amazing basketball player, but he isn’t without flaws. His defensive deficiencies are clear. He complains to referees like a petulant child after not getting his way on virtually every possession.
But one new issue that’s crept up is his 3-point shooting.
When Luka gets going, he’s hotter than lava. But Luka’s start to 2026 looks like tour dates:
Jan. 2 vs. Grizzlies, 1-7, 3PT
Jan. 4 vs. Grizzlies, 4-10, 3PT
Jan. 6 vs. Pelicans, 3-10, 3PT
Jan. 7 vs. Spurs, 2-9, 3PT
There are several reasons for Luka’s shooting inefficiency.
For one, he has more responsibility on his plate now that Austin Reaves is out. With Reaves unavailable, even more attention is being placed on Luka defensively, leading to double and triple teams.
Then, when LeBron missed the contest against the Spurs, San Antonio blitzed him relentlessly, making it virtually impossible for Luka to get clean looks at the basket.
Part of this dip in 3-point shooting also lies with Luka. Too many times, he’s taking shots that have a low probability of going in.
Luka is one of the best players in the world, and he’ll figure out how to work out of this slump. But right now, his 3-point shooting is hurting the Lakers more than it’s helping.
2. LeBron and Luka duo
Adversity can create opportunity. With Reaves out, LeBron James and Luka have had to work on their chemistry and figure out how to run this team.
Against the Grizzlies, it worked to perfection. LeBron and Luka were mixing together like ingredients in a soup, blending to make something better.
They worked in tandem on and off-ball. LeBron was cutting to the basket and Luka was finding him. The contest against the Grizzlies ended with LeBron scoring 31 and Luka leading the team with 35 as LA beat Memphis 111-103.
Good things take time. The LeBron-Luka connection is unlikely ever to reach the heights of LeBron and Anthony Davis or that of Luka and Kyrie Irving, but if this is a precursor of what can be with LeBron and Luka, then this tandem’s best is yet to come.
3. Jake LaRavia should be a permanent starter
LaRavia had some of his best games in a purple and gold uniform this week. He had 21 points in the first game of 2026 against Memphis, then followed up that performance with 26 against the Grizzlies in the following contest.
While that sort of offensive production will be uncommon for LaRavia, he is capable of it. Then, when you factor in his underrated defensive versatility, it seems that LaRavia is making a case to be LA’s fifth starter when everyone is available.
4. Luka’s leadership
In the title track of “Blueprint 2,” Jay-Z said, “I will not lose, for even in defeat, there’s a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me.” At the time, this was in reference to losing his rap battle with Nas.
When I watched the Lakers lose to the Spurs without Reaves or James, I thought about how the positive of this experience was seeing how Luka can lead LA when it’s just him out there.
I don’t know when LeBron will no longer be a Laker, but the day is coming.
Against the Spurs, I saw Luka giving more defensively, fighting hard on offense to attack the paint and get to the line and he was also, dare I say, more communicative. He was resilient, fighting an uphill battle and doing his best to keep the Lakers in the game.
It didn’t result in a win, but LA pushed San Antonio as far as they could.
Yes, that’s a moral victory, but sometimes that’s the only win available. Even more encouraging were Luka’s postgame comments. He seemed unsatisfied with the result.
Leadership takes many forms. In this loss to the Spurs, Luka did it through his actions and his words, both on and off the court.
If this is how Luka will lead when it’s fully his era, then the Lakers will be in great hands.
5. It’s silly season
In Formula 1, free agency for the upcoming season typically happens in the middle of the year. So, the summer break when speculation ramps up is called “silly season.”
Well, for the NBA, the closest to a silly season is the trade deadline. Now that we are weeks away from the trade deadline, the rumors are swirling and the first big trade just happened with Trae Young being dealt to the Wizards.
The Lakers have their own needs to address before the deadline. But before you submit your trade idea, ask yourself, “Why would the other team do it?” and really think about whether it’s beneficial to all.
And don’t use Nico Harrison as your justification for why it will work.
Stat of the Week
I’m not sure if the Lakers are a good team, but they are a clutch team. This Stat of the Week is one that’s been true all season long: the Lakers are undefeated in clutch games.
Currently, they are a league-leading 13-0 and are one win away from the all-time longest winning streak.
Play of the Week
LaRavia put the dagger in the Grizzlies’ heart for our Play of the Week.
Like many Lakers offensive plays, it started with Luka. Jaylen Wells was guarding him while he had the ball at the top of the key. Santi Aldama was sagging way off LaRavia to prevent a drive to the rim.
Luka still got to the basket, but Wells and Aldama bottled him up. With just two seconds left on the shot clock, Luka threw a grenade to LaRavia.
The pass with two defenders draped on him wasn’t perfect.
Luckily, LaRavia was able to keep his feet set and was able to take the shot, beat the buzzer and give LA a three-possession edge.
Making these types of shots is what separates the great role players from the ones that bounce around the NBA. LaRavia is making his case to be among the players who can safely call LA home.
Stories of the Week
Dominique Wilkins dreamed of having a son. That Jake Wilkins dunks like him is a bonus - The Athletic
LeBron and Bronny James are the most famous father-son duo in basketball, but there are other well-known connections, such as Steph and Del Curry and Klay and Mychal Thompson. Mirin Fader of The Athletic discusses the dynamic between Dominique Wilkins and his son, Jake, in a way only she can.
Dominique looked at his son in a way only fathers can; through him, not just at him. There was so much he wanted to say. His son wouldn’t have anything handed to him — no matter his last name. He’d have to work for everything he’d get. He’d face impossible expectations.
“I don’t want you to be me,” he told Jake that day. “I want you to be better than me.”
Something shifted in Jake. A newfound confidence and determination to become serious about basketball. It filled him with a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt before. He would try to forge his own path — even if it looked much different than his peers.
Luka and LeBron go 30-30 as Lakers defeat the Pelicans - LA Times
Broderick Turner has been covering the Lakers longer than anyone. His breakdown of how LeBron and Luka are working together and how James is so willing to concede power to Dončić was a pleasant read
As James spoke, he shot down the theory that Doncic has to bend his game to James’ or to any of his teammates.
James simply noted that the Lakers (23-11) are Doncic’s team and the rest of them will follow his lead, including James.
“Luka don’t need to bend his game. Luka is our (26-year-old) franchise for this ball club,” James said. “He don’t need to bend this game. It’s up to us to bend our game around him and figure it out. We just try to be dynamic to work off of him. We know he is an unbelievable pick-and-roll player, unbelievable shot maker. He commands the defense. He had four eyes, sometimes six eyes on him. So it’s us…It’s up to us to put ourselves in the right position. So, it’s not a problem for me, it’s not an issue for me. To be able to do things that... I don’t know…I just don’t think people watch basketball.”
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.