Los Angeles Lakers prepare for 2026-27 NBA season with Luka Dončić

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2026-27 NBA season with a restructured roster led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves under head coach JJ Redick. Following a previous season that saw 53 wins and a Western Conference semifinal exit, the team aims to secure its 18th championship.

Key matchups for the upcoming season include an opening game against the Golden State Warriors, a visit to the San Antonio Spurs, and a Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers also face significant challenges in a three-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Analyst Kendrick Perkins has expressed mixed views on the team's outlook. While he suggests the Lakers possess enough offensive firepower to remain dangerous and should enter the season with championship expectations, he has also criticized the roster construction. Perkins noted that both Dončić and Reaves could be viewed as defensive liabilities that playoff opponents might target.