The Los Angeles Lakers did not make ESPN’s top 10 teams with the best futures over the next three seasons, ranking 13th in the outlet’s 2026-27 outlook.
The Lakers were placed behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPN’s Future Power Rankings come after a major offseason transformation in Los Angeles. The Lakers parted ways with LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, and reshaped the roster around Luka Doncic.
“Those factors keep the Lakers firmly in contention after the franchise’s first back-to-back 50-win seasons since 2009-10 and 2010-11,” Zach Kram wrote for ESPN.
Doncic remains the centerpiece of the Lakers’ long-term outlook. The six-time All-NBA selection averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games during the 2025-26 regular season, finishing fourth in MVP voting.
Austin Reaves is also part of the new foundation after re-signing with Los Angeles on a four-year, $180 million contract. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 51 games last season while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.
The Lakers also made Walker Kessler a major part of their future, acquiring the center from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and giving him a four-year, $129.5 million contract.
Kessler’s addition came at a significant cost in future draft capital. Los Angeles sent two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps to Utah, leaving the franchise ranked 29th in ESPN’s draft subcategory.
“The Lakers have no cap flexibility for the foreseeable and saw their draft assets stripped in the Kessler sign-and-trade,” Bobby Marks wrote. “Los Angeles has no future firsts available to trade and only three seconds.”
The Lakers also added Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams during the offseason, while acquiring rookie Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick.
ESPN’s FPR analysis highlighted defense as a potential factor in determining whether the Doncic-led Lakers can contend at the highest level. Dean Oliver noted that teams capable of improving defensively against strong offenses in the playoffs can increase their chances of winning a championship.
Despite the roster turnover and loss of James, ESPN offered an aggressive projection for the Lakers’ offense. Ben Golliver predicted that Doncic will lead the most efficient offense in franchise history during the 2027-29 period.
The Lakers posted a franchise-best 118.2 offensive rating in 2025-26 despite Doncic, James and Reaves missing a combined 71 games.
“Doncic, Reaves and ultra-efficient center Kessler should serve as the new-look foundation for a devastating scoring machine,” Golliver wrote.
The 13th-place ranking reflects the contrast in Los Angeles’ outlook: ESPN sees a team with an elite offensive centerpiece and significant market advantages, but also limited future draft capital, little cap flexibility and major questions about whether the post-LeBron roster can translate its talent into championship contention.
