- Deandre Ayton trade
- Lakers sign Kevon Looney
- Ziaire Williams signing
- Lakers get Matisse Thybulle
- Lakers draft Cameron Carr
- Collin Sexton signing
- Lakers sign Sandro Mamukelashvili
- Lakers sign Quentin Grimes
- Lakers sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler
- Lakers sign Austin Reaves
- Overall Lakers offseason grade
The Los Angeles Lakers completely retooled their roster around Luka Doncic this offseason. They got rid of eight players from last year’s roster, including LeBron James, to build a squad that betters around Luka. They clearly wanted to get younger, more athletic, and add versatility. It was a bold offseason strategy that has fans questioning how it worked.
The Lakers added nine new players, but every move had a flaw. They focused on getting talent in the door, but didn’t always take the best path to making it happen. Rob Pelinka’s job depends on this build's success, and fans are questioning how it will work out.
The Lakers deserve praise for multiple moves, and ridicule for others. They are a different team, but is the roster better? Here is a grade for every move before giving LA a final mark for their offseason retool.
Deandre Ayton trade
Grade: B-
The Lakers sent Ayton to the Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks after the big man opted in to the final year of his contract. Fans thought this was the precursor to another move where the Lakers acquired a forward, but it hasn’t happened.
Getting two second-round picks for an expiring big man is solid work by Pelinka, but the Lakers are rumored to be searching for a backup center (subscription required). Ayton would have been fantastic in the role. LA must flip the picks for more help for this grade to improve. Consider it solid and deserving of a B-minus with the information fans know now.
Lakers sign Kevon Looney
Grade: C-
This was a head-scratcher. Looney is coming off the worst year of his career, where he could barely crack the rotation for the Pelicans. He produced a 0.0 value over replacement player (VORP) and was not the answer. The Lakers want to contend and need a backup big man. Looney can’t fill that role at this stage.
Loon only got a one-year minimum contract, so it is hard to destroy this move. The three-time NBA champion will bring some valuable experience, leadership, and know-how. Fans just can’t expect significant on-court production. The 30-year-old struggled last season, and the Warriors move on because they saw him declining. This move has to be for locker room impact over on-court value.
The Lakers can’t play Sandro Mamukelashvili at the five in every matchup. They likely have Looney slated for a role bigger than he can handle, which drops this grade down to a C-minus.
Ziaire Williams signing
Grade: A
The Lakers took an upside shot on a young wing coming off the best year of his career. Williams finally produced a positive VORP and showcased some two-way potential. He must lock in on defense and continue improving his jumper to fully break out.
Luka Doncic is known for maximizing athletic wings. He made PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. key parts of a team that reached the NBA Finals. Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock were starters when Dallas reached the conference finals in 2022. Williams could be the next name on this list.
The Lakers got a 24-year-old wing with upside on a minimum contract. Consider that move a massive success. It earns an A with a slight knock for only being a one-year prove-it deal. If Williams breaks out, Los Angeles likely loses him in free agency next summer.
Lakers get Matisse Thybulle
Grade: A
The Lakers needed a stout wing defender to replace Marcus Smart, and getting Thybulle on a minimum was an absolute steal. He averaged 2.0 steals in just 16.0 minutes per game last season. The 6’5 wing has twice made second-team All-Defense, and could be an outstanding fit in Los Angeles.
Thybulle was available for the minimum because he has played just 45 games in the last two seasons combined. Injuries are a worry, but he has quietly become a plus-shooter to go with his outstanding defense.
This is exactly the type of player Luka maximizes. It is only a one-year minimum deal. The 29-year-old will look to cash in next summer after improving his value, but consider this a solid A with the upside to be an A-plus.
Lakers draft Cameron Carr
Grade: A+
Getting Carr with the 24th pick was an absolute steal. The Lakers had to trade up one spot to secure the 6’5 wing, but it just cost them cash. The 21-year-old already showed outstanding skill during summer league. He’s the type of athletic wing that Doncic is known for maximizing. Think DJJ with a jumper.
Carr must improve his defense, prove he can be an elite shooter at the NBA level, and keep growing his game. The rookie is far from a finished product, but he looks ready to make an immediate impact. Rob Pelinka’s track record in the draft is abysmal, but it looks like the Lakers nailed this one. A-plus for drafting Carr in the late first round.
Collin Sexton signing
Grade: C
This one was confusing. The Lakers gave Sexton a two-year $19.2 million contract with a player option in the 2027-28 season. The 27-year-old should be in his prime and is a proven scorer. Sexton has never played in the playoffs and is on his fourth team in the last three years. The Lakers even eliminated all of the upside of this signing by handing out a player option.
Sexton has primarily been a starter and is taking a pay cut to join the Lakers. He has made $71.1 million over the last four years. This is his shot to finally help a contender and prove he is more than just an empty-calorie scorer.
The Lakers handing out a player option and spending significantly on a guard with zero playoff experience in his first eight NBA seasons drags this grade down. LA wants the ball in the hands of Doncic and Austin Reaves. Signing Sexton provides depth, but clocks in at a solid C grade until the 6’3 guard proves he can impact winning.
Lakers sign Sandro Mamukelashvili
Grade: B-
The Lakers bet on last season being the beginning for Mamu. The 6’9 big man broke out as a versatile offensive weapon capable of stretching the floor, making a few plays, and starting transition attacks. The 27-year-old finally earned a significant role and helped the Raptors make the playoffs.
The Lakers gave him a four-year, $52 million contract with a player option. That lowered the grade as there was absolutely no need to give him one after just one season of impact. This move has upside and helped LA add depth. Mamu is making around seven percent of the salary cap throughout, which gives this a solid B-minus mark.
Lakers sign Quentin Grimes
Grade: C
The Lakers overpaid for what Grimes has produced in recent years. LA is his fifth team in the last four years, and the 76ers refused to pay him last summer in restricted free agency. Grimes took the qualifying offer to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, and the Lakers rewarded him with a four-year, $60 million contract.
Grimes is the Lakers' fourth-highest-paid player, despite not being a starter since 2023. Los Angeles clearly believes the 26-year-old can take a step forward as he reunites with Luka, but the Knicks, Pistons, Mavericks, and 76ers would disagree.
This felt like an overpay, but that didn’t stop Rob Pelinka from giving Grimes a player option. Consider this move a C. There is significant downside, but Grimes should be a productive bench player, even if he can’t stick in the starting five.
Lakers sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler
Grade: B+
The Lakers had to give up two first-round draft picks and two swaps to land Kessler from the Jazz. LA signed him to a four-year, $129.4 million contract in the deal. It was an overpay, but the purple and gold needed a center. Kessler keeps improving and will be worth every penny when paired with Doncic.
The Lakers gave up significant draft capital and a big contract. It would have been nice to keep it to one or the other, but Luka wanted a center. Los Angeles got a difference-maker, which deserves a B-plus.
Lakers sign Austin Reaves
Grade: B+
The Lakers couldn’t afford to lose Reaves, but a four-year, $184.7 million contract was more than the franchise wanted to give out. Every dollar counts in the second apron era, and this new deal puts pressure on Austin Reaves to become a star.
Fans saw him play at that level last season. He needs to stay healthier and prove to be the ideal fit next to Luka in the backcourt. Early signs are positive. Yes, the Lakers overpaid slightly, but keeping talent is expensive. They deserve a B-plus for this move, even if things weren’t perfect.
Overall Lakers offseason grade
Grade: B
This wasn’t a home run offseason, but the roster finally makes sense around Luka Doncic. They focused on adding depth, athleticism, and more talent. The Lakers have a legitimate shot to compete with the NBA’s elite teams if Luka is playing at his best.
Losing LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, and Nick Smith Jr. hurt, especially because the Lakers got just two second-round draft picks to show for it. That drags this grade down, but fans should still consider the offseason a success.
The Los Angeles Lakers deserve a B for this offseason. This is Luka’s team now. It is on number 77 to lead them on a deep playoff run. Rob Pelinka tried to make the pieces fit, and it is worth watching closely this season to see how he did. The Lakers have more depth and think they can compete, but this is just phase one. More moves are coming, so stay tuned.
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