Oct 13, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey (28) and Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (14) chase after the ball in the second quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey (28) and Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (14) chase after the ball in the second quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The 2026 Preseason is over for the Los Angeles Lakers, and I gotta say, some of these guys really surprised me. They finished 2-3 after losing 121-106 to the Nuggets on Friday night, but the record isn’t really what I’m worried about. I’m much more interested in who actually looked ready to play, who might have earned a starting spot, and who probably made JJ Redick’s life a little more complicated heading into Opening Night.
And we’re not wasting time with Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves here. We already know those two are the most important pieces of the roster. What I wanted to see was everyone else, especially with Walker Kessler finally playing, Quentin Grimes fighting for a starting role, and a bunch of other guys trying to prove they deserve minutes.
Collin Sexton missed all five games with a lower right leg injury, so we’re leaving him out of the grades. That gives us 13 Lakers players to evaluate, split into Good, Average, and Disappointing. And yeah, I’m probably going to be a little harsh on a couple of them.
Good
Sandro Mamukelashvili – Grade: A
Okay, I really wasn’t expecting Mamu to be this good. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 55.6% from the field and 54.2% from three, which is just ridiculous for someone who was supposed to be a relatively quiet addition to the rotation.
And the best part is that he wasn’t just getting lucky with open shots. Mamukelashvili was actually helping run the offense, making decisions from the frontcourt, and giving Redick another player who can do more than one thing. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists against the Nuggets, hitting three triples, and I feel like he might have played himself into a much bigger role than anyone expected before preseason started.
Now, I’m obviously not expecting this guy to shoot 54.2% from three for an entire season. But even if he shoots around 38.0%, that’s a huge addition for a team that needs as much spacing as possible around Doncic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up playing more than some of the established Lakers veterans, especially because he can play both forward and center. For me, he’s easily the biggest winner of preseason.
Quentin Grimes – Grade: A-
I feel it’s kinda obvious that Grimes will be starting for the Lakers. He averaged 12.0 points and 2.6 assists on 51.3% from the field and 43.5% from three, played solid defense, and barely needed the ball to make an impact. That’s pretty much everything you’re looking for in a guard playing next to Doncic and Reaves, especially when those two are going to create most of the offense anyway.
Grimes started the first four preseason games before moving to the bench against the Nuggets, but I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Redick was trying different lineups, and Grimes still had 11 points while making three of his six three-pointers in the finale. He looked good moving without the ball, made the open shots he was supposed to make, and didn’t spend half the game trying to force his own offense. I really liked that.
The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was his 2.4 turnovers per game compared to 2.6 assists, because that’s a little too much for someone who might occasionally run the second unit. But other than that, I don’t have many complaints. He’s a better shooter than most of the Lakers’ other perimeter options, can defend, and already knows how to play alongside stars. I’d start him without thinking twice.
Ziaire Williams – Grade: B+
Ziaire Williams really went 5-for-5 from three during preseason, which is pretty crazy considering how much his shooting has been questioned throughout his career. He averaged 13.5 points on 75.0% from the field in two games, and I genuinely wasn’t expecting him to look this comfortable offensively. He even dropped 14 points in just 10 minutes against the Nuggets, which is an absurd scoring pace for someone fighting for a starting spot.
What I like about Williams is that he’s 6’9″, athletic, and can defend different positions without needing the ball constantly. That’s a nice combination for the Lakers, so if Williams can hit open shots and defend opposing wings, he’s going to be pretty valuable. Redick even started him against Denver, so clearly the coaching staff wants to see more of him.
Of course, two games are two games, and going perfect from three doesn’t suddenly mean he’s become an elite shooter. We’ve seen guys get hot in preseason before and then struggle once the regular season starts. But Williams did everything he needed to do, and I think he’s earned a chance to compete for serious minutes. I still prefer Grimes as a starter, but Williams definitely made things interesting.
Cameron Carr – Grade: B+
Cameron Carr was another guy I wasn’t really expecting much from, and then he suddenly started looking like one of the better 3-and-D players on the floor. The rookie averaged 12.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 47.1% from the field and 40.0% from three across two appearances. That’s a pretty nice start for a 21-year-old who was supposed to spend most of preseason just getting used to NBA competition.
I especially liked his 19-point game over the Kings because he wasn’t scared to shoot or attack defenders. Carr looked confident handling the ball, knocked down some difficult jumpers, and actually seemed comfortable creating instead of just waiting in the corner. He also averaged 2.0 steals, which was a nice little bonus considering he’ll handle some defensive tasks.
Unfortunately, he missed the last game, so we didn’t get a chance to see whether he could keep that production going. And I’m definitely not putting him ahead of established rotation players after just two appearances. But I liked his confidence, especially compared to some of the other young Lakers who looked completely lost offensively. Carr did more than enough to earn a B+, and I’ll definitely be watching him once the regular season starts.
Jake LaRavia – Grade: B
Jake LaRavia is probably going to be one of those Lakers players nobody talks about much, but who ends up playing a pretty established role. He had 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 51.6% from the field and 53.3% from three, and I liked how he never really needed the offense to revolve around him. He just moved around, took good shots, and helped whenever the ball came his way.
And that’s exactly what the Lakers need from him. LaRavia isn’t supposed to score 20 points or anything. He’s supposed to hit open threes, make the extra pass, cut toward the basket, and defend and switch. He also averaged 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks, so at least he was doing something defensively instead of just standing around waiting for another jumper.
Overall, I think LaRavia had a good preseason without doing anything particularly crazy. I’d probably bring him off the bench, but I can definitely see Redick trusting him in important minutes because he fits pretty well alongside the Lakers’ stars.
Average
Jaden Hardy – Grade: B-
Jaden Hardy hit a couple of tough shots, looked pretty good for a few possessions, and then suddenly started missing everything or turning the ball over. He averaged 10.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in only 14.2 minutes per game, which is actually decent scoring production. But shooting 41.0% from the field and 30.4% from three isn’t exactly going to help him earn a major role.
At least he finished pretty well against the Nuggets, scoring 13 points and hitting three of his five three-pointers. That was probably his best argument for getting some minutes once the season starts, because the Lakers could use another scoring guard. The problem is that Hardy also averaged 2.6 turnovers while producing just 1.2 assists, and that’s a pretty rough ratio for someone trying to handle the ball more.
I don’t hate Hardy as a scoring option off the bench, but I also don’t see where he’s supposed to get consistent minutes once Sexton returns. Doncic, Reaves, and Grimes are obviously ahead of him, and there are other guards fighting for opportunities too. He wasn’t bad enough to land in the disappointing group, but he definitely didn’t convince me that he deserves a major rotation role. B- feels about right.
Walker Kessler – Grade: C+
I’m not going to lie, I expected a little more from Kessler. I know he played only five games last season because of a shoulder injury, and I know he also missed some preseason time with a finger issue. But the Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round picks, two swaps, and eventually committed $130.0 million to this guy. So yeah, I’m going to have some expectations here, even if he’s still getting his rhythm back.
Kessler posted 8.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 42.9% from the field, along with 1.5 blocks in two games. His debut against the Warriors was actually pretty nice, with 11 points, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block in 16 minutes. He looked active around the basket, finished his chances, and gave the Lakers some much-needed size. But against the Nuggets, he finished with six points on 2-for-8 shooting in 31 minutes, which was a pretty disappointing way to end preseason.
Now, I’m still expecting Kessler to be a very important player for the Lakers. He’s an excellent rebounder, his rim protection should help immediately, and the alley-oop opportunities with Doncic are going to be ridiculous once they develop some chemistry. But I also think he looked a little rusty, especially offensively, and it’ll probably take him a few weeks to get comfortable again. I’m giving him a C+ for preseason, but I’m expecting much better once the actual games begin.
Adou Thiero – Grade: C+
Adou Thiero didn’t put up amazing numbers or anything, but I liked his energy whenever he got on the floor. He averaged 5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 46.7% from the field in three games, while also adding 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks. That’s not bad for someone who played only 18.4 minutes per game and wasn’t exactly getting a bunch of offensive plays called for him.
Thiero is one of those guys who can make an impact just by running, defending, and going after rebounds, and I think the Lakers could use that kind of player in certain matchups. He looked athletic, wasn’t scared of contact, and did a decent job staying active even when he wasn’t touching the ball. The problem is that his shooting still needs a ton of work, because he missed all four of his three-point attempts.
And with LaRavia, Williams, and Mamu all looking pretty good, I’m not sure how many minutes Thiero is actually going to get. He has some interesting defensive tools, but Redick can’t put too many non-shooters on the floor when Kessler is already playing center. I’d still give him a C+ because I liked the effort and athleticism, but his offensive game needs to improve.
Matisse Thybulle – Grade: C
Matisse Thybulle might be one of the most annoying players to evaluate because his defense can be amazing, but his offense is just so limited sometimes. He averaged 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 33.3% from the field and 25.0% from three, and those shooting numbers were rough. Especially on a team that already has Kessler, Vanderbilt, and a few other players who aren’t exactly known for stretching the floor.
But defensively, I still find him electric. Thybulle averaged 1.3 steals, bothered opposing guards, and made plenty of good plays away from the ball. He also started against the Nuggets and finished with seven points, five rebounds, and two assists, so it’s pretty obvious Redick is considering him for a bigger role. And I understand why, because the Lakers definitely need someone who can defend the perimeter.
The issue is that I don’t want defenses leaving Thybulle completely open while sending extra help toward Doncic. That’s going to become frustrating pretty quickly if he’s shooting 25.0% from three. I’d much rather see Grimes starting and Thybulle coming off the bench whenever the Lakers need more defense. He’s going to play, but his preseason was pretty average overall.
Jarred Vanderbilt – Grade: C
I feel like Jarred Vanderbilt has been doing the exact same thing for years now, and this preseason didn’t really change anything. He averaged 3.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in just 9.9 minutes per game, which is basically what you’d expect from him at this point. He’ll defend, fight for rebounds, bring some energy, and then probably finish the game without taking more than two or three shots.
And I don’t necessarily have a problem with that, because Vanderbilt has always been more of a defensive specialist than an offensive player. He averaged 1.0 steals and shot 66.7% from the field, although he attempted only nine shots throughout the entire preseason. The problem is that the Lakers now have other forwards who can defend reasonably well while also making threes, and that’s going to make Vanderbilt’s role much more complicated.
I still think he can help against certain opponents, especially when the Lakers need someone to defend physical wings or grab extra rebounds. But with Mamukelashvili, LaRavia, Williams, and Thiero all competing for minutes, I honestly don’t know how much Vanderbilt is going to play.
Disappointing
Kevon Looney – Grade: D+
Man, I really wanted Kevon Looney to look better because the Lakers could seriously use another reliable center behind Kessler. But he finished preseason at just 1.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 37.5% from the field, not really impressive. I know Looney has never been a scorer, but averaging fewer than two points while struggling to finish around the basket isn’t exactly a great look.
And yeah, he still can set screens, grab rebounds, and position himself defensively. That’s why he’s been an NBA player for so long. But he averaged only 13.8 minutes, added just 0.6 blocks, and didn’t really give the Lakers much when they needed some interior production. It’s hard to get excited about his preseason when Mamu was scoring, passing, and shooting so much better in the same frontcourt.
I’m not saying Looney suddenly can’t be in the rotation, but I think his role should be occasional. Redick might prefer using Mamukelashvili at center for certain stretches, especially when the Lakers need more shooting. Looney still has value against stronger rebounders, but he didn’t exactly make a convincing case for consistent minutes.
Bronny James – Grade: D
Well… I really thought Bronny James would look a little more comfortable by now, with rival teams interested in him. But at 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 25.0% from the field and 12.5% from three, his preseason was definitely a rough one. He played all five games and averaged 16.4 minutes, so it’s not like he never had a chance to show something.
The passing was probably the only part of his game that I somewhat liked. Bronny had a few decent minutes running the offense, moved the ball, and showed his willingness to involve his teammates instead of forcing difficult shots. But then you look at his 2.4 turnovers per game, and even that goes against him. He made only four field goals across the entire preseason, including one three-pointer on eight attempts, which is concerning for a guard entering his third NBA season.
And I just don’t see where the minutes are supposed to come from once everyone is healthy. Doncic, Reaves, Grimes, Sexton, and Hardy are all better offensive options right now, and Bronny hasn’t shown enough shooting or playmaking to make up for that difference. I still think he can develop defensively, and he’s only 22, but he needs to improve a lot before becoming a regular rotation player. This preseason definitely didn’t help his case.
Dalton Knecht – Grade: D-
I genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen with Dalton Knecht before Opening Night, because this preseason was absolutely terrible. He averaged 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 25.0% from the field and 14.3% from three, which is just awful for someone who’s supposed to be a shooter.
He made only three field goals throughout four preseason appearances, including one three-pointer on seven attempts, and then finished with zero points in eight minutes against the Nuggets. That’s a really bad way to end camp when you’re already fighting for a spot on the roster, as the waiving rumors keep coming.
And when you see the other guys, that’s where things get pretty concerning for him. Grimes shoots better and defends better, Williams gives the Lakers more size, LaRavia can do a little bit of everything, and even Carr looked more comfortable on offense. Knecht doesn’t really bring enough defense or playmaking to stay on the floor when his shot isn’t falling, so I’m having a hard time seeing him getting regular minutes right now.
I still think there’s some scoring talent there, and maybe he eventually gets his confidence back. But he’s entering his third NBA season, and at some point, we need to stop talking about what he could become and start looking at what he’s actually doing.
Final Thoughts
I’m pretty happy with what the Lakers got from Mamukelashvili, Grimes, Williams, and LaRavia. All four looked ready to contribute, and Carr was another nice surprise. Redick definitely has some interesting options around Doncic and Reaves, especially when it comes to shooting and versatility.
As for Looney, I honestly think he’s just injury insurance for Kessler at this point. If Kessler stays healthy, I don’t see him playing much, especially with Mamu looking so good. And with the Lakers needing to get down to 15 players, I think it’s probably between Knecht and Hardy for the final cut, with Knecht being my pick after that terrible preseason.
Bronny probably shouldn’t be completely safe either, but I liked his hard-nosed defense during last year’s playoffs, and the Lakers clearly believe in his defensive potential. So I’d expect him to stick around, while Grimes, Mamu, and the other preseason standouts get their chances to earn starting minutes once the season begins.
Francisco Leiva is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a recent graduate of the University of Buenos Aires and in 2023 joined the Fadeaway World team. Previously a writer for Basquetplus, Fran has dedicated years to covering Argentina's local basketball leagues and the larger South American basketball scene, focusing on international tournaments.Fran's deep connection to basketball began in the early 2000s, inspired by the prowess of the San Antonio Spurs' big three: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and fellow Argentinian, Manu Ginóbili. His years spent obsessing over the Spurs have led to deep insights that make his articles stand out amongst others in the industry. Fran has a profound respect for the Spurs' fanbase, praising their class and patience, especially during tougher times for the team. He finds them less toxic compared to other fanbases of great franchises like the Warriors or Lakers, who can be quite annoying on social media.An avid fan of Luka Doncic since his debut with Real Madrid, Fran dreams of interviewing the star player. He believes Luka has the potential to become the greatest of all time (GOAT) with the right supporting cast. Fran's experience and drive to provide detailed reporting give Fadeaway World a unique perspective, offering expert knowledge and regional insights to our content.