Breaking Down Los Angeles Lakers' Projected Rotation for 2026-27 NBA Season
If preseason "vibes" are important, the Los Angeles Lakers are already one of the best teams in the league.
Of course, winning keeps vibes rolling, and it's far from clear how well L.A. stacks up against the talent in the Western Conference.
With LeBron James in Philadelphia with the 76ers and most of the roster turned over since earlier this year, the new-look Lakers should be a fascinating watch—though it's unclear exactly how third-year coach JJ Redick will use the assembled talent.
Redick has remained transparent that two of the team's five starting positions are wide open, as is the bench rotation. Beyond Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, the coach has a long list of players to sort through ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
As the franchise kicks off its preseason on Monday in Sacramento against the Kings, we'll get a better sense of what Redick has in mind. In the meantime, here's our best take on what the Lakers' rotation will look like at full strength this upcoming season.
Point Guard
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Dončić is among—or outright is—the league's top heliocentric offensive force(s). His combination of size, vision, handling, playmaking, and scoring is currently unparalleled. Dončić has nearly unlimited range on his jump shot and is the player opposing coaches have to scheme against in preparation for the Lakers.
Defense is his greatest weakness, but don't expect Redick to use Dončić as his primary point-of-attack defender. Instead, Quentin Grimes—spoiler—is expected to earn one of the top open starting spots, while defending the opposing team's primary ball-handling guard.
Reaves is a starting-level point guard in his own right, a difficult scoring threat for opponents. Redick will keep Reaves and Dončić on the floor to run the show through most minutes of close games.
Collin Sexton will be the team's primary offensive reserve at point guard, helping satisfy Redick's desire for multiple dribble-pass-shoot threats on the roster. Additional options to round out minutes include Bronny James, Jaden Hardy, and Grimes.
James is an unselfish, serviceable role player and willing defender. Hardy is more of a shooter/scorer, though he insisted on media day that he's here in Los Angeles to defend.
Redick may also utilize players like Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Adou Thiero, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cameron Carr, and two-way wing Chris Mañon as point-of-attack defenders when necessary.
Shooting Guard
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Reaves, 6'5", will partner with Dončić, 6'8", in the backcourt, trading off responsibilities depending on opponents' schemes. They represent the Lakers' primary offensive attack, stacking up favorably against any team in the league—on offense.
The reserve list is long, including Grimes, Sexton, Hardy, Carr, Thybulle, Williams, James, Thiero, LaRavia, Vanderbilt, and Dalton Knecht. The Lakers have 16 players under standard contracts, one more than allowed for the regular season; Knecht appears to be the odd man out at this early stage.
Grimes, Sexton, and Hardy represent scoring options—as does Carr, though it's difficult to project that the rookie will earn regular minutes early in the season. Otherwise, Redick wanted a squad of defensive options to plug in, helping to complement/offset the two backcourt stars.
Small Forward
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Grimes' $14 million salary for 2026-27, the fourth-highest on the team, suggests he'll be in the starting group with Dončić, Reaves and Kessler.
Redick hasn't shied away from three-guard lineups, regularly relying on Marcus Smart last season to take on the toughest perimeter assignments.
Grimes, 6'5", spent the first three years of his career with defensive-minded former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in a similar role.
Grimes is also a capable scorer, averaging 21.9 points over a 28-game stretch after his trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025. The same cast of characters can back him up, including Williams, Thybulle, Thiero, Vanderbilt, Carr, Mañon, and Knecht (if still on the roster).
Dončić and Reaves are also options throughout the rotation. Redick has options, and he's made it clear to his players that the ones who excel defensively will play.
Power Forward
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Salary doesn't always indicate a player's role in the team's hierarchy. Sandro Mamukelashvili was one of the Lakers' top targets this summer, signing a four-year $52 million deal. Still, his value as a big, offensive connector may be best served coming off the bench.
Mamukelashvili will finish the year among the top five in minutes, but Williams is the stronger fit in a Jaden McDaniels starting role. Listed at 185 pounds, Williams recently indicated he's closer to 215.
At just 25, Williams has a real opportunity to establish himself as a vital starter, despite his minimum contract. His positional flexibility on defense and potential as a catch-and-shoot floor spacer could be the perfect fit alongside Dončić and Reaves.
That would slot Mamukelashvili as the team's sixth man, playing heavy minutes at power forward and center. LaRavia, Vanderbilt and Thiero will also get time at the four. Kevon Looney brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and while he projects to play more behind Kessler, Redick may also find use for him at forward.
The Lakers need Williams, Mamukelashvili and their current depth to step up, as the starting power forward spot is the biggest rotational question mark.
Center
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The Lakers gave up most of their remaining draft capital to acquire Kessler from the Utah Jazz. He's an imposing defensive rim protector, but that will only help if the perimeter players can stay in front of their assignments.
Kessler was a force in Utah, but the team was among the league's worst on defense.
And the Lakers—coaching staff and players—get it. They understand what it will take to build a viable defense around Kessler and the flaws inherent in a Dončić/Reaves backcourt. Whether they can execute their vision is a different topic entirely, but it should be entertaining to watch as L.A. tries to figure it out through the highs and lows.
Depth behind Kessler is thin, with Mamukelashvili as a viable offensive option and Looney a capable defensive reserve. Neither is suitable for an extended stretch should Kessler miss significant time.
The Lakers appear to be one reliable backup center short of a complete rotation—ideally one capable of handling roughly 18 minutes per game—but they could address that need before February's trade deadline.
In the meantime, the Lakers have a clear plan for approaching the 2026-27 campaign. Redick's rotation remains a work in progress, but it will rely heavily on Williams thriving at power forward and a deep wing group complementing the Lakers' top three players.
If the Lakers stay healthy, they should contend for a No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Their ceiling is higher, but their floor is lower if the roster's pieces do not fit together as well as the front office anticipates.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus.
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