The Los Angeles Lakers enter the new season with a roster that looks dangerous on paper but fragile beneath the surface. The additions of Marcus Smart and De’Andre Ayton give head coach JJ Redick more defensive muscle and a true center, both glaring needs last year. Luka Doncic, fresh off a monster EuroBasket run, looks ready to make the leapfrom star to centerpiece.
Still, for all the optimism, the contract situations tell a more complicated story. Smart and Ayton are both on one-year deals with player options, while LeBron James-who turns 41 this season-can hit free agency next summer after exercising his $52.6 million option for 2025. Beyond Doncic and a handful of young pieces, the Lakers don’t have much locked in long-term.
That setup leaves the team in a high-risk position: if they win, everything stays smooth. If they stumble, the locker room could get messy fast.
Winning Is the Glue-But What Happens If It Cracks?
Lakers reporter Raj Chipalu recently pointed out the downside of stacking the roster with short-term deals. “If the Lakers start losing, that’s where all this stuff just compounds into negativity,” he told Anthony Irwin, describing how players might start fighting for minutes and stats. It’s not just theory either-L.A. has been down this road before. Chemistry issues derailed the team just one year after their 2020 championship, and those wounds haven’t been forgotten.
This season feels like another balancing act. James, who has been open about keeping his options flexible, has historically tied his late-career choices to title chances. If the Lakers can’t deliver on that front, he could walk, and others might follow. Smart and Ayton could opt out, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura might test the market, and suddenly the Lakers’ core could look paper thin.
On the other hand, there’s a clear long-term vision: build around Doncic. The front office has reportedly kept an eye on future superstar targets like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, aiming to pair Doncic with another generational talent once LeBron moves on.
For now, though, the present is what matters. Ayton’s rebounding, Smart’s defense, and Doncic’s growth could push L.A. deep into the playoffs. But if results don’t match expectations, the Lakers’ “win-now” gamble could turn into one of the most volatile seasons in franchise history.
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