The 2026-27 NBA season is tipping off and the Los Angeles Lakers are poised for one of the more important campaigns in recent memory. This is going to be the first real year of the Luka Doncic era after a major offseason pivot. How will that look by year's end?
Friendly disclaimer before we start: these predictions are classified as bold for a reason. There is an honest belief behind this keyboard that they could happen. However, many of these things can be viewed as optimistic best-case scenarios, or otherwise.
1. Luka Doncic finally wins the first NBA MVP of his career
Doncic has been playing MVP-level basketball since his sophomore season in the NBA. Despite that, the Slovenian superstar has seen that trophy elude him throughout his eight-year career in the league. Perhaps 2026-27 can finally change that.
The closest finish Doncic had was coming in third during the 2023-24 season. Luka had a historic year in terms of counting stats. It was the highest cumulative average of points, rebounds, and assists per game since the NBA-ABA merger. Pairing that with a 50-win season for the Dallas Mavericks was not enough.
A high bar has clearly been set for what Doncic needs to win MVP. Luka will do his part. The Lakers just need to follow suit.
2. Lakers rack up 55 wins during the regular season
Speaking of Doncic's team doing their part, let us talk about the wins tally. Many are expecting the Lakers to take a step back after back-to-back 50-win seasons. What if it proves to be the opposite?
Yes, there is a LeBron James-sized hole to fill when it comes to racking up regular season results. However, stepping in his place is a roster that is more tailored to Doncic and Austin Reaves. A great fit can often prove to outweigh pure talent.
Doncic and Reaves operated at a 60-win pace when both players were available last season. The Lakers could be much better positioned for regular season success than most are projecting them for.
3. Walker Kessler wins Most Improved Player
Let us keep pushing for award recognition here. If Doncic cannot get that elusive MVP, maybe Walker Kessler can capture the Most Improved Player instead.
The former Utah Jazz center will certainly have that opportunity after finally getting to a team that gives him every opportunity to become a household name. Kessler's defensive ability will be under the Los Angeles spotlight for everyone to see. Plus, Doncic will be feeding him easy buckets for what should be a career-high scoring campaign.
Put all that together and there will be a compelling case for him, especially if the Lakers are winning and his impact on those results is clear. Why not honor Kessler's success with an award?
4. Lakers push all-in at the 2027 NBA trade deadline
The Lakers do not have a ton of assets to make trades this season, but that should not absolve them of having a chance to search for those moves altogether. Their best window would be the 2027 NBA trade deadline. Struggling teams are going to be selling, and the opportunity to acquire someone for cheaper than expected is typically there at that time of year.
Expect Rob Pelinka to exhaust those options to make an extra push before the postseason.
New ownership is coming in and Pelinka is still on the hook to make a positive impression. If the Lakers are struggling, their general manager will need to find a way to propel them back up. If the Lakers are thriving, maximizing that window to win will be just as important. Either way, there should be fireworks in February for Los Angeles.
5. The Lakers make the Western Conference Finals
Most will fairly project the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs to meet up in the Western Conference Finals, and duke it out for a chance to represent the West in the NBA Finals. Another team can certainly try their hand at playing spoiler to that dance. Why not the Lakers?
They have a superstar who is a playoff riser and gives them a chance to go toe-to-toe with anyone on any given night. They have a solid roster. They can seek out improvements to the formula if necessary. It is not totally ridiculous to think their ceiling can be higher than last year's second-round exit.
This will be no small feat. If the Spurs and Thunder finish as one and two in the conference, that will mean the Lakers need to knock one of the two off en route to the Western Conference Finals. Probable? Not if you are a betting man. Possible? If you are a dreamer, absolutely.
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