The Los Angeles Lakers could be a title contender. They could also be stuck in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The fact of the matter is that the Lakers have so many variables with their current roster that makes them one of the more difficult teams to predict a clear future for.
There are many reasons for that being the case, some of which have already revealed themselves in practice throughout the early parts of the 2025-26 NBA season. Injuries, inexperience, an aging superstar — the Lakers have it all.
That does not mean Los Angeles cannot make the 2025-26 campaign a memorable one. However, the Lakers will need the scales to tip in their favor regarding several make-or-break areas.
Whether the Lakers sink or soar will be decided by key swing factors
Injuries have been the obvious standout in the early parts of the new season for Los Angeles. It comes with a mixed bag as to who has been on the shelf, too.
Marcus Smart? That one was a touch predictable, given the rough injury history of the former Defensive Player of the Year.
LeBron James? The sciatica injury can somewhat be chalked up to the aging superstar being a victim of Father Time. The incredible mileage on James' career certainly does not help a player who has mostly been durable throughout it. Granted, his later years have been more shaky by contrast.
Maxi Kleber? Expected. Gabe Vincent? Unfortunate. Luka Doncic? Hopefully minor and will not be a recurring theme for a superstar whose success greatly dictates the ceiling of this Lakers team.
To the credit of JJ Redick and his players, they have done the best they can in terms of stepping up when needed. Austin Reaves is the poster boy for that. The Lakers' third star has elevated his play in his expanded role to start the year, showcasing why the talented guard will be a rich man very soon.
Austin Reaves is the first Laker to start a season with 5 STRAIGHT 25-PT games since Kobe Bryant in 2005 🤝🔥 pic.twitter.com/wPgBzeluN5
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 30, 2025
Apart from Reaves, the shakiness of the roster depth has shown its cracks during these times of absence. Redick has been forced to turn to young players, two-way guys, and others of the liking when the options have been thin. The results have been mixed, at best.
What do the Lakers need to quickly find an upward trajectory? Health, dependability, and a trade or two when the window to make moves opens up. Until those factors fall into place, the results in Los Angeles will continue to be a bit of a guessing game.