The Post-LeBron Era: Analyzing the Reshaped 2026–2027 Lakers Roster

Now that the dust has settled and the Lakers' roster is nearly complete, what does this reshaped team look like heading into the 2026-27 season?

The depth chart currently looks something like this, with a few roster spots still to be filled:

Dončić / Sexton / James

Reaves / Grimes / Carr

LaRavia / Knecht / Thiero

Mamukelashvili / Vanderbilt

Kessler / Ayton

In come Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler. Out go LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and possibly Rui Hachimura.

Grimes signed a four-year, $60 million deal, while Mamukelashvili agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract. The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round swap rights in 2028 and 2030, before signing him to a four-year, $130 million extension.

Meanwhile, Kennard signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, Smart agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Houston Rockets and Hayes landed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Utah Jazz.

There has also been some chatter today (July 2) that the Lakers are exploring ways to move the contracts of Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) and/or Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million) to create enough flexibility to re-sign Rui Hachimura. If they can pull that off, it would be a major win. Regardless, they still have a glaring need at small forward — unless they decide to lean into a three-guard lineup, which has become increasingly popular around the league.

You know who would fit perfectly into that spot?

LeBron James.

Unfortunately, we know that won't be happening. And after the bombshell trade sending Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, it's become even less clear where James' next destination might be. Based on the comments Rich Paul has made during his media tour following the announcement that LeBron would return for his 24th NBA season — just not with the Lakers — it's obvious James didn't view this roster as a legitimate championship contender.

The Lakers' priorities became clear as soon as free agency opened. They were immediately linked to both Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, while the center position remained their biggest need. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that Luka Dončić wanted an "A-list" center, and the Lakers clearly believed Kessler fit that description.

For those unfamiliar with Mamukelashvili, he spent last season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 11 points in nearly 22 minutes per game while serving as a sixth man. He shot 52 percent from the field, 39 percent from three on nearly four attempts per game, and grabbed almost five rebounds per contest. Listed at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, he played plenty of small-ball center alongside versatile wings like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett.

Offensively, he's an ideal fit. He's a legitimate catch-and-shoot threat from deep, can pop or roll in the pick-and-roll, has soft touch around the basket and possesses enough size and skill to create matchup problems. Playing alongside Luka and Austin Reaves should only enhance his offensive production.

Grimes spent last season with Philadelphia, appearing in 75 games while averaging nearly 30 minutes per night. He averaged 13 points on 10 field-goal attempts per game, shooting 45 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three on five attempts per contest. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he's a true shooting guard whose greatest value for the Lakers will come on the defensive end. He's capable of guarding opposing ball handlers, making him one of the few perimeter defenders on the Lakers' roster who can consistently take on that assignment, but he is a bit undersized for who he will most likely be tasked to defend.

That said, he's now been on four teams in five seasons — the Knicks, Pistons, Mavericks and Sixers — which does raise some questions. He's a solid player, but it's difficult not to wonder what the Lakers see in him after watching Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart both sign shorter, significantly cheaper deals. Combined, Kennard and Smart won't make as much next season as Grimes will on his own.

The biggest move of the offseason, however, was acquiring Walker Kessler.

Because Kessler was a restricted free agent, the Lakers had to surrender virtually every first-round asset they were able to trade to pry him away from Utah before signing him to a contract worth more than $30 million annually. That's elite-center money, putting him in the same financial neighborhood as Jarrett Allen and Isaiah Hartenstein.

It's certainly a steep price for a player who has never been an All-Star and hasn't played meaningful basketball on a rebuilding Jazz team during his four NBA seasons.

Kessler is also coming off a season in which he played just five games before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder — an injury he had reportedly dealt with since college. The hope is that the procedure permanently solves the issue.

When healthy, though, Kessler has been one of the league's best rebounders, rim protectors and shot blockers. Offensively, playing alongside Luka and Reaves should unlock his potential as a rim-running lob threat. Defensively, he'll be asked to erase mistakes behind a roster that still lacks elite perimeter defenders, making his health and availability absolutely essential.

Interestingly, reports indicated the Jazz offered Kessler a five-year, $140 million contract, which he and his representatives believed undervalued him. They were ultimately proven right, as the Lakers gave him a higher annual salary, albeit over one fewer season.

Still, it raises an interesting question. Danny Ainge and the Jazz appear ready to compete in the Western Conference after adding Jaren Jackson Jr. and Darryn Peterson to a core featuring Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. If they viewed themselves as contenders, why were they comfortable re-signing Jusuf Nurkić and moving on from Kessler?

It's been a whirlwind start to the new league year and, for the Lakers, the beginning of a new era.

The LeBron chapter is over.

The keys now belong to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and it's up to them to lead the Lakers into the franchise's next chapter.