The Los Angeles Lakers made one of the bigger moves of the 2026 NBA offseason in the wake of LeBron James announcing his departure from the club, sending two first-round picks and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler. Even after signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract, Rob Pelinka wasn't done making moves.
Just minutes after agreeing to the seismic Kessler trade, Shams Charania reported a trio of new contracts meant to provide depth. The Lakers agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract with ex-Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, a four-year, $52 million deal with former Toronto Raptors stretch big Sandro Mamukelashvili, and a two-year, $19 million pact with former lottery pick Collin Sexton of no fixed abode.
The depth chart has undergone a major facelift, as the Lakers have officially pivoted away from the James era and will ride Luka Doncic until the wheels fall off. The Lakers got much better, but the lack of depth in the frontcourt and defensive excellence could prove to be big hurdles in 2026 and beyond.
Updated Los Angeles Lakers depth chart after Walker Kessler trade
PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Luka Doncic | Austin Reaves | Jake LaRavia | Sandro Mamukelashvili | Walker Kessler |
Collin Sexton | Quentin Grimes | Cameron Carr | Jarred Vanderbilt | Deandre Ayton |
Bronny James | Dalton Knecht | Adou Thiero |
It goes without saying that LA's depth is going to be tested. With Marcus Smart agreeing to sign with the Houston Rockets in the early stages of free agency, the departures of center Jaxson Hayes and power forward Rui Hachimura appear to be all but finalized. Youngsters like Carr and Knecht, the latter of whom struggled in 2025-26, will be in elevated roles.
Kessler will need to play like Hakeem Olajuwon on the defensive end to make up for this lineup's shortcomings. Doncic and Reaves will be a problem (derogatory) on defense, Mamukelashvili struggled on that end in the Raptors' first-round playoff series, and Sexton has been a liability his entire career.
However, this could be one of the most potent offensive teams in the league. Doncic and Reaves will account for an instant 60 points per game, Grimes has been one of the most underrated scoring guards in the league for the last few years, and Mamukelashvili could play a similar role to what served as the catalyst for his career year in Toronto.
Pelinka seems to be betting that Doncic's offensive brilliance and Kessler's stout rim protection will be enough to set the Lakers apart in a crowded Western Conference. There's a non-zero chance Los Angeles leads the league in points per game in 2026.
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