With an offseason that was not short on player movement, the Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2026-27 season with the goal of completely reshaping how the team operates. JJ Redick will have his hands full with trying to get his new guys settled into their roles.
Amid all the chaos, the Lakers head coach should have at least six players who enter this upcoming season with a spot in the rotation fully locked down. The names on that list should not be particularly surprising to anyone.
Luka Doncic
Starting with the most obvious, Luka Doncic is who this offseason retool was for. The players brought in were all given jobs in Los Angeles with the hopes of fitting well around the franchise figurehead.
Doncic can be expected to eat up heavy minutes for the Lakers next season. During his two seasons in Los Angeles, Luka has averaged 35.6 minutes per game in the regular season. The newfound depth might lessen that number a touch, but the team's success will still be largely tied to the Slovenian superstar.
Austin Reaves
Retaining Austin Reaves was the first major signing of the Lakers' offseason, and it was a necessary one. The franchise needed to ensure Doncic had his preferred running mate moving forward.
The pairing of Luka and Austin was quite successful sharing the court last season. The two Lakers stars posted a net rating of 8.9 in 2025-26, with an offensive rating of 118.5 and a defensive rating of 109.6.
With the roster reshaped around them, Los Angeles will be looking for even more success from the duo. Reaves will play heavy minutes and have an equally large offensive role after fully assuming the mantle of being the Lakers' second star following the departure of LeBron James.
Walker Kessler
This is the last surefire starter on this list. Walker Kessler was paid like the Lakers' third star, and that comes with healthy expectations regarding his role and the minutes he is expected to play.
Kessler should have the starting center job locked down for the Luka-led future in Los Angeles. Doncic wanted an A-list center, and he got one with the arrival of the former Utah Jazz big man. The prize acquisition of the 2026 offseason should see ample opportunity to prove his hefty price tag was worth it.
Quentin Grimes
One way or another, Quentin Grimes will undoubtedly be in the rotation. The only real question is whether the former Philadelphia 76ers guard will be a starter in Los Angeles next season.
For most, it is safe to assume that will be the case. Grimes has spoken of playing a sizable role on offense, and refocusing on the defensive end to be a point of attack defender for the Lakers. Considering the team is missing the latter in the starting lineup following Marcus Smart's departure, anyone expecting Grimes to fill that role is more than justified.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Sandro Mamukelashvili garnered some Sixth Man of the Year buzz last season for the Toronto Raptors, and the Lakers should be hoping that is something that can be replicated with them. Mamu should be expected to fill a similar role in Los Angeles during this upcoming season.
Mamukelashvili should split time between the four and the five next season, coming off the Lakers bench. Where he sees more minutes will depend on the nightly matchup for Los Angeles.
Collin Sexton
The Lakers needed a bench guard who was going to be capable of relieving Doncic and Reaves of carrying the entire offensive creation load by themselves. Rob Pelinka decided Collin Sexton was the man for that job.
The well-traveled veteran should be the first guard off the bench for the Lakers in the upcoming campaign. His spot as a primary figure of the second unit is as secure as Mamukelashvili's. The duo will be expected to give the team a serviceable backup group that has eluded Los Angeles for years.
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