Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Senior ESPN insider Brian Windhorst thinks the new-look Los Angeles Lakers could be better than many expect, largely because of the partnership between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers underwent massive changes this offseason, with LeBron James‘ departure and the addition of Walker Kessler. While there are still big concerns about the roster, Windhorst believes that having Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves together gives the Lakers a foundation capable of getting them a lot of regular-season success.
Speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said:
“Well, here’s the thing. Reaves and Luka are so good, and there is a reasonable sample size that shows that those guys playing together are going to generate a fair amount of wins, even if you have deficiencies elsewhere. I also think that, you know, here’s the thing.”
“When you look at Kessler, so many people are going to focus on the trade cost. And I do think that we could get into a situation in the next, you know, six to 12 months where we say, ‘Boy, if the Lakers had just handled that a little differently, they would be able to do whatever.’ That is part of the opportunity cost. But if you look at the actual fit, it’s a great fit.”
The numbers certainly support his argument. During the 2025-26 season, the Lakers went 30-11 when Doncic and Reaves played together. Perhaps even more encouraging for the Lakers post-LeBron, they were 9-2 when Doncic and Reaves played without James.
Doncic averaged a league-leading 33.5 points last season, while Reaves had the best scoring average of his career at 23.3 points. With LeBron no longer there to demand possessions, these two should have a lot more control over the ball.
But the key to all of this is Walker Kessler, who could be the one to help piece this entire roster together.
That distinction is important. The Lakers may eventually regret the assets they gave up to acquire Kessler, especially if another star becomes available and they lack enough assets to go out and get him. But judging purely from a basketball standpoint, Kessler addressed one of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses.
The Lakers ranked 20th in defensive rating last season, and adding a legitimate rim protector behind Doncic and Reaves will give them a lot more cover defensively. And Kessler’s ability to finish around the basket gives Luka another dangerous pick-and-roll partner.
The Lakers have also surrounded the new core with players like Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, with Kevon Looney providing additional frontcourt depth.
There are still major concerns. The Lakers still need enough perimeter defense around Doncic and Reaves, and losing James will fundamentally change the team’s ceiling until proven otherwise.
But Windhorst doesn’t predict disaster. He’s only saying that the Lakers will be fine together and will get a lot of regular-season wins. Whether that translates to championship contention is another question altogether.
But with Doncic and Reaves driving the offense and Kessler protecting the paint, the Lakers may already have the framework of a team that is capable of surprising the Western Conference.