Sep. 28 is marked on all calendars for Los Angeles Lakers fans as the day their team's players are reporting for Media Day. Despite that date being less than two weeks away at this point, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the franchise at this time.
Why beat around the bush? Let us get into it.
1 — How do the Lakers finalize this season's roster?
The most pressing question that is still of major concern for the Lakers is how the team gets finalized. As things stand, Los Angeles is still carrying 16 players on the main roster. That number needs to come down to 15 before opening night.
Can the Lakers finally find a way to get a 2-for-1 trade involving Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht done? Rob Pelinka has been rumored to be floating that package in negotiations for almost two months. There have been no takers so far.
Do the Lakers have to pivot off including Vanderbilt in that deal and try to include a more tradeable contract like that of Jaden Hardy or Jake LaRavia? That might pair better with Knecht to help add another contributor to the team.
If all that fails, do the Lakers just look at Dalton and cut their losses — one way or another? Pelinka could dump his former first round pick for a bit of draft capital from someone with an open roster spot. The least attractive, but totally feasible, option of the bunch would be to just waive Knecht.
The Lakers are guaranteed to get one more round of fireworks for this offseason with this last move. The guessing game right now has to do with how large or small that bang is expected to be.
2 — Who starts beside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler?
Three starters are set in stone ahead of the coming season: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Which two Lakers join the team's new leading trio?
Quentin Grimes is the safe bet. The new Laker has been talking like a starter since signing his four-year, $60 million contract. One would imagine Grimes steps in and takes over the starting spot left vacant by Marcus Smart.
The real question revolves around the other position left unoccupied. Jonathan Kuminga's decision to join the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Lakers put Los Angeles in a spot without a clear frontrunner to start at forward. Fans have tried to figure out who leads that race ever since.
Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili and others should get a fair crack at joining the starting five. The early returns from training camp should allow JJ Redick an opportunity to make an informed decision before the new regular season starts.
3 — How deep is the Lakers rotation in 2026-27?
Nine has typically been the magic number for Redick when it comes to what his preferred rotation looks like. Does that change this season?
There are certainly more than enough playable guys in Los Angeles for the 2026-27 campaign to at least consider going beyond that number. The Lakers made a clear effort to strengthen the depth of the roster. It is now one of their main advantages ahead of the coming season.
Does Redick go all in to capitalize on that? Could the minutes distribution have 10 or even 11 players touching the court on any given night?
Redick certainly has the options to exercise that strategy. Hearing what he has to say at Media Day should offer some insight on whether that new reality has the Lakers coach evolve his approach in 2026-27.
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