The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a pivotal stretch of their 2026 NBA offseason. Following the historic departure of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers, the franchise has firmly pivoted its focus toward building a championship contender around their new centerpiece, Luka Doncic. As the dog days of August set in, the Lakers find themselves at a fascinating crossroads: they have assembled a deep, 16-player roster brimming with fresh faces, yet they still face significant decisions regarding their final starting spot and the looming hard cap.
With no games on the immediate schedule, the true action for the Los Angeles Lakers is happening behind the scenes. From Doncic’s proactive leadership in organizing a team minicamp in his native Slovenia to the ongoing trade rumors surrounding Jonathan Kuminga and other potential forward targets, the foundation for the 2026-27 season is being poured right now.
Doncic Takes the Reins: The Slovenia Minicamp
Perhaps the most encouraging news for Lakers fans this week is the proactive approach Luka Doncic is taking to his new role as the undisputed face of the franchise. Recognizing the massive roster turnover and the need for rapid chemistry building, Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster for a four-day minicamp in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from August 20 to August 24.
This is not just a casual get-together. The trip is expected to feature intense basketball workouts alongside team-building activities like golf and sightseeing. Austin Reaves, who recently re-signed with the Lakers and figures to be Doncic’s primary backcourt partner, is already setting a competitive tone. Reaves jokingly told reporters at his basketball camp that he plans to beat Doncic in golf, before emphasizing the real purpose of the trip: getting around the new guys, learning to know one another off the court, and building chemistry.
This level of early engagement is critical. The Los Angeles Lakers are integrating a slew of new rotational pieces, including Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Kevon Looney. For a team that will rely heavily on Doncic’s historic playmaking ability, establishing off-court trust and on-court timing before formal training camp begins in October could be the difference between a sluggish start and coming out of the gates hot.
The Starting Five: Four Locks and One Wide-Open Competition
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the upcoming season, head coach JJ Redick has a relatively clear picture of his core starting unit. Four of the five starting spots appear to be locked in: Luka Doncic at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Quentin Grimes at small forward, and Walker Kessler anchoring the middle as center.
This quartet offers a compelling mix of elite creation (Doncic), secondary playmaking and shooting (Reaves), point-of-attack defense (Grimes), and elite rim protection and roll gravity (Kessler). However, the power forward position remains a glaring question mark and is shaping up to be the most intense battle of training camp.
The incumbent is Jake LaRavia, who started 43 games last season and offers connective offense and continuity. However, the front office clearly felt the need for defensive upgrades on the perimeter, bringing in Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. If Redick prioritizes stopping opposing wings, Thybulle is the most decorated defender on the roster. Alternatively, Jarred Vanderbilt remains a versatile defensive option, though his offensive fit next to a non-shooting center like Kessler is clunky.
Sandro Mamukelashvili offers a different look entirely — a floor-spacing big who can play alongside Kessler — but he currently projects more as a vital rotation piece off the bench. The sheer number of options highlights the Lakers’ new philosophy: replacing LeBron James’s overarching impact with specialized role players who can excel in specific areas around Doncic.
The Roster Crunch and the Kuminga Pursuit
While the starting lineup debate is intriguing, the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, faces a pressing mathematical problem. The team currently has 16 players on standard guaranteed contracts, one above the regular-season maximum of 15. Furthermore, the sign-and-trade acquisition of Walker Kessler has hard-capped the Lakers at the first apron, severely limiting their financial flexibility.
This roster crunch makes the team’s ongoing pursuit of a starting-caliber power forward incredibly complex. For weeks, the Lakers have been linked to Jonathan Kuminga, the former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk. Kuminga, who is seeking a contract in the $20 million to $23 million annual range, would instantly become the favorite to start at power forward if acquired.
However, negotiations have reportedly stalled. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, while the Lakers pitched Kuminga on a high-minutes role, the sign-and-trade mechanics — years, money, and the package returning to Atlanta — have proven difficult to align. The Lakers’ limited trade assets, primarily a 2032 first-round swap, future second-round picks, and players like Jaden Hardy or Dalton Knecht, make facilitating a deal challenging, especially when trying to avoid pushing a third team into the luxury tax.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers now emerging as a serious suitor for Kuminga, the Los Angeles Lakers may need to pivot to alternative targets.
Alternative Targets: Who Else Could the Lakers Pursue?
If the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes fall through, the Los Angeles Lakers have a few fallback options to solidify their frontcourt, though each comes with its own set of complications.
PJ Washington (Dallas Mavericks) is a proven commodity next to Doncic, having helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals. He offers solid defense and streaky but willing shooting. However, he is owed nearly $89 million over the next four seasons. With Dallas building around rookie Cooper Flagg and having recently acquired Santi Aldama and Zaccharie Risacher, Washington might be expendable. A package built around Jarred Vanderbilt and younger assets could work, but the Lakers must decide if they want to take on that long-term money.
De’Andre Hunter (Sacramento Kings) represents a viable 3-and-D option. The Kings acquired him at the trade deadline but are currently hovering above the luxury tax. The Lakers could help Sacramento duck the tax by sending out Vanderbilt and younger players. The primary concern with Hunter is his durability and the fact that he is extension-eligible, which could put further strain on the Lakers’ future cap sheet.
Perhaps the most prudent path for the Los Angeles Lakers is patience. By heading into the regular season with their current group, they can evaluate how players like LaRavia, Thybulle, and Williams perform alongside Doncic. If a glaring weakness remains, they can utilize their remaining assets before the February 2027 trade deadline. This approach also allows them to maintain flexibility for potential buyout candidates or disgruntled stars who become available mid-season.
Looking Forward: A Roster Built for the Modern NBA
Despite the lingering questions at power forward, the overarching narrative for the Los Angeles Lakers is one of optimism. The team has successfully transitioned from the LeBron James era by surrounding Luka Doncic with a roster that fits the modern NBA prototype: shooting, secondary creation, and rim protection.
As internal reports from the team’s Las Vegas veteran minicamp indicated, the belief is high because the team has multiplied the number of players who can punish a defender off the dribble. With Collin Sexton leading the second unit, Grimes providing stability, and Kessler anchoring the defense, Doncic will not have to shoulder the burden alone.
The upcoming Slovenia minicamp will be the first real test of this new group’s cohesion. If Doncic and Reaves can forge a strong bond with the incoming players, the Los Angeles Lakers will be well-positioned to make a deep playoff run in the highly competitive Western Conference. The 2026-27 season is rapidly approaching, and the purple and gold are ready to write their next great chapter.
