The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new chapter as they attempt to build a competitive roster without LeBron James, something the franchise hasn’t had to do in years.
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, the team is now adjusting to life without the veteran superstar, who continued to provide stability even while taking on more of a supporting role last season.
Murray notes that James served as an important safety net, especially during stretches when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were unavailable.
Without him, the Lakers no longer have that dependable presence, and the roster still appears to be a work in progress.
Although Los Angeles has made several offseason additions, Murray believes many of the newcomers have limited playoff experience and may be better suited for reserve roles on a championship-caliber team.
He adds that the Lakers could still benefit from acquiring another reliable forward capable of playing around 25 quality minutes per game.
Lakers Notes: Kessler, Ayton, Thiero, Contention https://t.co/awY4CLKo81
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 6, 2026
