Lakers are quietly banking on youth to finalize the Luka Doncic retool

The Los Angeles Lakers may be pretty close to the final roster they expect to have for the beginning of the 2026-27 season. Apart from the rampant and repetitive news about their Jonathan Kuminga pursuit, things have officially gone relatively quiet in Los Angeles of late. This team could be a few tweaks away from being what Rob Pelinka moves forward with.

That immediately will draw some attention to the remaining holes on the squad. Mainly, most will quickly look at the wings of this roster and find discontent with how those shaped up in free agency. There are fair critiques to be had there.

As things stand, the biggest holes on the roster look to be at the three and the four. With relation to the proven commodities, the Lakers would need a boost before considering themselves championship ready at those spots. This is where their gamble on the unknown comes in.

Guys like Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr could quickly strengthen the rotation by proving themselves as valuable contributors from the start of 2026-27. There could even be a surprising young player beyond the pair who can deliver two-way value. Either way, the Lakers are quietly hinging their hopes on breakthroughs from more unseasoned players to punctuate the roster retool around Luka Doncic.

Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr, and others could swing upcoming Lakers season

After letting a potent point of attack defender like Marcus Smart leave to join the Houston Rockets, that defensive need stands out as one of the biggest ones among the main rotation. This is one of the clearest areas where the Lakers' strategy of banking on the youth is evident.

Thiero quietly revealed as much when speaking to the media about the conversations had with JJ Redick. The Lakers head coach flat out highlighted that exact area as desirable growth for Adou.

"JJ, he says ... we need a point-of-attack, on-ball defender and everything," Thiero stated. "So, just trying to go out there and be that."

Thiero added the need to simplify the offense for himself, too. If the soon-to-be second-year pro can succeed on both ends, the Lakers will undoubtedly look to Adou for significant contributions.

Carr could be right there with him as well. The defensive focus from the first-round pick is carving out a path for him to be a 3-and-D contributor around Doncic. That type of production is highly desirable, and would give the Lakers an athletic two-way wing they have been missing for years.

Perhaps even a guy on the fringes can exceed expectations to strengthen the positions. Arthur Kaluma sure does have a lot of buzz around him after a 34-point outburst in summer league play. Kaluma stood out as one of the most intriguing players to watch ahead of July basketball, and his 3-and-D development looks to be coming along nicely within the Lakers system.

Finding room for Kaluma on a two-way contract could pave the way for added options at the four. His ability to deliver at the NBA level would give the Lakers fewer headaches in filling those minutes.

If one or two of these guys bring immediate contributors to start 2026-27, the positional holes in Los Angeles will quickly look much smaller. Seeing how the Lakers approached the summer makes it clear they are hoping for that much.

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