Luka Dončić is the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Lakers' offseason strategy. On July 1, 2026, the team started making moves to rebuild their roster after LeBron James announced he would not return.
What happened?
The Lakers traded for 24-year-old rim protector Walker Kessler, committing over $262 million in contracts for players with a combined 81 career playoff points scored.
The team also signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton. These moves were made with Luka Dončić in mind, as the team believes Kessler's rim protection will complement Dončić's skills.
Why it matters for Luka Dončić
The Lakers' strategy is to allocate all resources around their best player, Luka Dončić. This approach is based on the lessons they learned after trading for Dončić on February 2, 2025.
The team is still seeking a young wing to help their perimeter defense, with Jonathan Kuminga being considered. The Lakers offered their two available unprotected first-round picks and two swaps to acquire Kessler.
What comes next?
The Lakers' future first-rounders lost in the trade will likely come back to haunt them. However, the team believes Kessler's skills fit perfectly alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The biggest draw is Kessler's rim protection, which charts as close to the best in the league. The Lakers are optimistic about their chances with Luka Dončić leading the team.
On July 1, 2026, the Lakers started their rebuild in earnest. The team's fanbase may have winced at the loss of LeBron James, but the franchise is pushing forward with a plan centered around Luka Dončić