The Los Angeles Lakers retooled their roster around Luka Doncic this summer, and things will be different. LeBron James is gone, and the Lakers finally got the center Doncic has been asking for since he arrived. The Lakers tried to give Luka a roster he can maximize, and number 77 is no stranger to getting the best out of the talent around him.
During his time in Dallas, Doncic helped transform PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Derrick Jones Jr. into key starters on a roster that reached the NBA Finals. Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell, and Dorian Finney-Smith filled those roles when the Mavs reached the conference finals in 2022. He made the playoffs for the first time with Maxi Kleber and Tim Hardaway Jr. flanking him. Luka getting the most out of these players helped Dallas reach heights few expected.
Who will be the names he does it with in Los Angeles? This is the first season the roster is truly built around him, and Lakers fans will quickly see Doncic maximize the talent around him. Here are five players that will exceed expectations this season.
5. Cameron Carr
Nobody is expecting much from a rookie late first-round pick, but Carr showed an impressive ability to work off the ball and make shots in summer league. There will be bumps, but don’t be surprised to see Carr get real minutes and make an impact.
Doncic has maximized DFS, Bullock, Washington, and DJJ. Carr could be the next athletic wing that shines playing off number 77. Luka will get him plenty of open looks, and his next-level passing could make the rookie’s game pop. The 24th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will look like a steal by the end of the season.
4. Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle is being slept on after playing just 45 games in the last two seasons combined. The 6’5 is elite at generating steals and twice made second-team All-Defense for the 76ers. He was a defense-only player back in those days, but Thybulle has made 36.9 percent of his last 520 3-point attempts. The 29-year-old could be the 3-and-D wing the Lakers want next to Luka.
Thybulle signed a minimum contract with the purple and gold. Most are expecting him to come off the bench and play a small role, but he could be the Lakers’ next Marcus Smart. Smart had injury questions in the years before he arrived in LA. The Lakers kept him healthy and had him starting and playing 35 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Thybulle might not play that much, but the franchise needs defense and shooting next to Luka. If he fills that role, it will be difficult for head coach JJ Redick to take him off the floor. At minimum, Thybulle will well exceed minimum contract value this season.
3. Ziaire Williams
Williams could be the next Derrick Jones Jr. playing off Luka Doncic. DJJ shot 30.4 percent from 3-point range before arriving in Dallas. He was an athletic 6'6 wing with potential. Jones Jr. harnessed it playing off number 77. He has shot 35.2 percent over the last three years and was a starter on a team that reached the NBA Finals.
Williams’ shooting and defense are question marks. He hasn’t played on a winning team since his second NBA season. The 6’9 forward has a ton of athleticism, and his value over replacement player (VORP) continues to improve.
This was another minimum signing that most fans overlooked. Williams could transform into an athletic 3-and-D wing playing off Doncic. He will get open looks, have chances to cut for dunks, and has all the athletic tools to play stout defense. Williams just needs to buy into his role and reap the rewards.
2. Walker Kessler
Luka had his reasons for wanting a center the moment he arrived in Los Angeles. The superstar made players like Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell, and Boban Marjanovic look like difference-making centers in Dallas. Lakers fans saw flashes with Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. Doncic is the best pick-and-roll creator in the world. If a big man is willing to set screens and roll to the rim, number 77 will find them for easy buckets.
Kessler was an elite rim protector and rebounder during his time in Utah. Now, imagine what he can do with Doncic feeding him easy buckets. This is a dream scenario for a talented 25-year-old center. Kessler will get his first shot to shine on a winning team playing off a creator who loves to feed his big man.
The Lakers gave up two first-round draft picks and two swaps and agreed to a four-year deal worth $129.4 million to land Kessler. There are expectations, but the 7’2 big man will shatter them. Do not be surprised to see him put up massive numbers and get into the All-Star conversation playing off Doncic.
1. Austin Reaves
Reaves landed a massive four-year, $184.7 million contract to stay with the Lakers. The expectations rose as AR is officially LA’s number two, but he is already putting up massive numbers. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.5 minutes per game last season. He would have been an All-Star if not for some ill-timed injuries.
With LeBron gone, the Lakers need Reaves to do more. The only other players to average over 23 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds last season were Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Deni Avdija. Those are some of the best offensive creators in the world.
Don’t be surprised to see Reaves average over 25 points per game as he takes more shots and connects on a higher rate from 3-point range. The 28-year-old is in the middle of his prime, and the Lakers had a plus-11.6 net rating with their star duo on the floor last season. This will quickly become a dynamic duo that rivals Doncic and Brunson or Luka and Kyrie.
The Los Angeles remade their roster around Luka Doncic this summer, and the superstar will help these five players exceed expectations. He wants to win a championship and needs to maximize the talent on this roster to get anywhere close. Expect a monster season from Luka, and he will certainly increase the level of several teammates. Fans won’t want to miss it.
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