The Los Angeles Lakers have committed the foreseeable future of the organization to a new star trio: Luka Doncic, Walker Kessler, and Austin Reaves. Equipped with hefty salaries and even loftier expectations, Doncic, Kessler, and Reaves will be tasked with not only leading the Lakers to success, but elevating those around them.
One of the most compelling reasons for optimism in that regard is that all three of Doncic, Kessler, and Reaves have primary strengths that directly benefit their teammates.
Doncic is a two-time scoring champion, an NBA Finalist, and a two-time Conference Finalist who ranks among the most dynamic offensive players in the history of the sport. In addition to being a dominant scorer, Doncic is an elite playmaker who ranked No. 4 in the NBA in assists per game in 2025-26 and makes mesmerizing passes game after game.
Reaves offers much of the same, albeit in less extraordinary volume, showing the ability to work both as a No. 2 and a leader of lineups when Doncic isn't on the court.
Kessler is nothing like Doncic and Reaves, but that's exactly why this should work. He's an elite shot-blocker and rebounder who thrives in drop coverage, cuts off slashers just when they seem to get past the first defender, and creates second chances.
Together, the Lakers' expensive new trio has the potential to thrive as individuals and a collective, and make the matter of playing winning basketball more manageable for everyone around them.
Lakers' top three players all simplify the game for others
Doncic has made a habit out of bringing the best out of his teammates. Beyond his prolific production, he ranked No. 1 in the NBA in on-ball gravity and finished in the 87th percentile in off-ball gravity during the 2025-26 regular season, per Basketball Index.
With defenses constantly keeping track of Doncic's whereabouts and adapting accordingly, his elite scoring and playmaking abilities create a surplus of open looks for bigs and wings alike.
Reaves checks similar boxes as a player who's already among the most respected scorers and playmakers by opposing defenses in the NBA. In 2025-26, he ranked No. 11 in on-ball gravity and finished in the 89th percentile in off-ball gravity.
Reaves also ranked in the 98th percentile in passing creation quality, which measures the "expected efficiency on shots created for teammates," per Basketball Index. Doncic was, again, No. 1 in the NBA in the same statistic.
Lakers stars' differences and similarities create ideal balance
Kessler unfortunately missed 76 games in 2025-26 after undergoing shoulder surgery. In saying that, he finished the 2024-25 season ranked in the 95th percentile in defensive rebounds per 75 possessions and the 97th percentile in offensive rebounds per 75 possessions.
Both of those attributes reveal how Kessler can end and extend possessions, thus allowing his teammates to have easier chances to set up offensively.
Beyond his rebounding, Kessler ranked No. 7 in the NBA in rim protection, No. 9 in rim disruption, and No. 16 in rim deterrence. He also has a career average of 3.4 blocks per 36 minutes. That all speaks to his ability to redirect shots at the rim, make effective contests even when he can't block a shot, and keep opponents out of the paint at elite levels.
As if that weren't enough, Kessler ranked in the 78th percentile in screener rim defense and the 99th percentile in screener mobile defense.
All of this adds up to Kessler not only extending and ending possessions, but altering the course of them in mutliple ways. That falls right in line with Doncic and Reaves creating opportunities for themselves and others in a way that gives head coach JJ Redick a clear structure on offense.
With Doncic and Reaves shouldering the main scoring load and creating efficient looks, and Kessler anchoring the interior, the Lakers' star trio checks the essential box of making those around them better.
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