What will this year's version of the Los Angeles Lakers look like? Outlets like ESPN are projecting them to take a notable step back, going from 53 wins last season to 45 wins in the upcoming campaign. That has every opportunity to age like mlik, especially after Ziaire Williams gave Lakers fans yet another glimmer of hope with his latest comments to Benjamin Royer of the OC Register.
“We’re going to mesh really well. ... There’s a lot of motivation here and a lot of guys that are ready to prove and willing [to show] that we’re capable of playing on a winning stage."
Williams' comments came after the Lakers' team-bonding trip to meet Luka Doncic in Slovenia. The newly-assembled roster got a chance to feel each other out. Ziaire described the experience as one that involved 'a lot of good runs.' The 24-year-old also promised more of those were coming.
If the chemistry in the building is as good as Williams is suggesting it could be, a tight-knit group would become another thing fueling the hopes of overachieving expectations in Los Angeles. Being close does not always guarantee success. However, when coupling it with the other reasons to believe in the Lakers, it cannot hurt.
Lakers' budding chemistry adds to growing list of reasons to believe
Losing LeBron James left a sour taste in many people's mouth regarding the Lakers. In all fairness, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat were both worse off when the all-time great departed. The circumstances were much different, though. Los Angeles is far better-equipped to stay afloat.
The main reason, of course, comes down to having Doncic. A top-five player in the world is an elite starting point for any team with competitive aspirations.
Throw in a viable co-star in Austin Reaves, a supporting cast built to compliment the backcourt duo, a great head coach in JJ Redick, and the Lakers have the tools necessary to be an elite team in 2026-27. If all the on-court pieces mesh as well as has been suggested by Williams, Los Angeles can take inspiration from the other contenders who have previously been greater than the sum of their parts.
Look back at the 2024-25 Indiana Pacers. Was that team truly terrifying on paper?
Before that postseason, few people outside of Indiana would have picked them to be in the NBA Finals. The Pacers ended up one win shy of winning it all.
Great chemistry does not bring the guarantee of great results, but for the right group, it can be the thing that takes them over the top. It would be more than fair to estimate a team with the foundation the Lakers have to be one of those units.
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