The Lakers are aiming to be a serious title contender for the 2026-27 season.
They’ve been quite open about their ambitions following a significant offseason overhaul.
These championship aspirations aren’t just based on the 17 titles proudly displayed at their El Segundo training facility and at Crypto.com Arena. Nor is it solely about having one of the NBA’s elite players, Luka Doncic, on their roster.
What really drives their expectations is head coach JJ Redick’s faith in the team’s reconstructed lineup and how well it meshes with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and their notable free-agent signing, Walker Kessler.
The Lakers are also aware of the skepticism surrounding their ability to genuinely compete with the top teams in the Western Conference.
However, they’ve gathered enough confidence from recent months to believe they can exceed outside expectations and evolve into a championship-caliber team.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations and general manager, suggested last month that the team is “on the path of being a really competitive championship-level team,” while also emphasizing the ongoing nature of building a championship roster.
Redick, on the other hand, was quite straightforward about his views.
“That is an ongoing process throughout the year,” he said. “Rob talks about his job in that. Well, I have a job in that. Our players have a job in that. I’m confident we’re gonna develop as a team into a championship-level team this year.”
This feeling is echoed by key players on the team.
Doncic is particularly driven to make a significant playoff run after having successfully led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals and the 2022 Western Conference Finals. A hamstring injury had cut his 2025-26 season short, preventing him from participating in any playoff matches last spring, and the previous year, the team was eliminated in the first round shortly after he was traded.
The six-time All-Star is eager to return to the spotlight.
He’s clear about his goals—while he wants to win the MVP title, team success remains his top priority.
“I mean, realistically, I would say championship,” Doncic remarked. “If that’s not your goal, I don’t know what you’re doing here. As an individual, MVP, obviously I would like to have that one day. But that doesn’t come if the team’s not good. First is the team, then the individual.”
The Lakers are grounded in their beliefs.
They trust in their coach, as well as in Doncic and Reaves to elevate their offensive game.
They have confidence that Kessler will strengthen their presence in the paint on both ends, and that their depth on the wings—including players like Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle, Adou Thiero, and Cameron Carr—will support their main stars and enhance their defensive capabilities.
Their faith is that by spring, they’ll be in contention with the elite teams.
“I believe so—no question,” Kessler affirmed. “Undoubtedly. We have a lot of great tools and a lot of versatility. The guys are already getting along. Connection makes championship teams. We definitely could be a contender.”
