Lakers Complete Roster Overhaul, Sign Reaves, Kessler, and Doncics Backcourt Partner

The Los Angeles Lakers have finished a major offseason rebuild that sees the franchise move away from paying LeBron James over $50 million a season and focus on a roster built around All‑Star Luka Dončić. The changes include a four‑year, $185 million contract for Austin Reaves, a sign‑and‑trade for Walker Kessler worth $130 million over four years, a four‑year, $52 million deal for San‑Antonio forward/center Sanju Mamukelashvili, a four‑year, $60 million contract for guard Quentin Grimes, and a two‑year, $9.4 million mid‑level exception signing of shooting guard Collin Sexton. The moves were made after the Lakers did not offer LeBron James a new contract for the 2026‑27 season.

LeBron James left the Lakers after the 2025‑26 season, the first time in his career that the franchise did not match his player option. The decision followed a trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić. The Lakers’ front office chose not to extend a contract to James, who had been the team's cornerstone for eight seasons. The move was part of a broader strategy to build a new core around Dončić.

Austin Reaves, who joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, signed a four‑year, $185 million contract that brings him to the maximum. The deal was announced on June 30, 2026, and will keep Reaves in Los Angeles for the next four seasons. Reaves is expected to serve as Dončić’s primary backcourt partner, providing ball‑handling and shooting.

Walker Kessler was acquired from the Utah Jazz in a sign‑and‑trade that also involved a player option in the fourth year and a full trade kicker. The Lakers’ contract for Kessler totals $130 million over four years, averaging about $30.3 million per season. Kessler is a 7‑2 defensive presence who missed most of the 2025‑26 season with a shoulder injury. The Lakers gave up their remaining draft assets to secure Kessler, which has raised concerns about the team’s future flexibility.

San‑Antonio forward/center Sanju Mamukelashvili joined the Lakers on a four‑year, $52 million contract. Mamukelashvili, 27 years old, is a 6‑9 forward/center who can create offense and score in the post. His contract averages about $12.5 million per year. While he can contribute on offense, the Lakers’ defensive needs remain a question.

Guard Quentin Grimes signed a four‑year, $60 million contract with the Lakers. Grimes, 26, is a 6‑4 combo guard who averaged 21.9 points and 4.5 assists per game during a 28‑game stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024‑25. He is expected to add depth to the guard rotation and provide perimeter shooting.

The Lakers also added shooting guard Collin Sexton on a two‑year, $9.4 million mid‑level exception. Sexton, 23, is known for his shooting ability and will provide additional perimeter firepower. The Lakers still face gaps in wing defense, a backup center, and overall defensive depth.

Overall, the Lakers’ roster moves signal a clear shift toward a Dončić‑centric team. The front office has prioritized high‑pay contracts for key pieces and has traded away draft capital, which may limit future flexibility. The new roster includes a strong backcourt pairing in Dončić and Reaves, a defensive center in Kessler, and a frontcourt creator in Mamukelashvili. However, the lack of a strong defensive wing and a reliable backup center remains a concern. The Lakers’ performance in the 2026‑27 season will test whether the new core can compete in the Western Conference.

The Lakers’ offseason moves reflect a broader trend in the NBA, where teams are willing to pay large contracts to secure star talent and build around a single franchise player. The franchise’s next steps will involve filling remaining roster gaps and ensuring that the new core can perform defensively as well as offensively.

In summary, the Lakers have completed a significant roster overhaul that eliminates LeBron James, adds high‑pay contracts for Reaves, Kessler, Mamukelashvili, Grimes, and Sexton, and positions the team to compete around Luka Dončić in the 2026‑27 season.