The opening week of Lakers training camp has concluded, delivering a series of unexpected developments and clear early objectives.
The camp opened with a palpable sense of optimism, as the Purple and Gold faithful embraced a roster reshaped for speed and versatility.
Doncic enters the season positioned as the focal point of a franchise steeped in 17 championships, ready to steer the team back to the top.
Reaves looks to validate his new four-year, $180 million deal, while Kessler arrives with a reputation for relentless effort and toughness.
With the first week in the rearview mirror, these are the standout takeaways from camp so far.
1. Lakers’ perimeter defense is better than expected
Entering the season, perimeter defense was widely identified as the Lakers’ most vulnerable area.
Yet the players disagree emphatically.
Coach JJ Redick even cut practice short Wednesday when the competition heated up. With nine new players and two starting spots up for grabs alongside Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler, the battle for positions is fierce.
It’s clear that defensive effort will be the deciding factor in securing those starting roles.
Kessler, the Lakers’ defensive anchor down low, has been impressed by what he’s witnessed so far.
“I think we’re going to be a nasty defensive team, I’m just being honest,” Kessler said. “Just seeing these guys hound the ball on the perimeter.”
Kessler believes opponents aren’t fully accounting for how strong the Lakers’ perimeter defense will be, noting this roster has the intelligence and skill to exceed expectations.
One question in particular seemed to stump Kessler.
Who stood out?
“I mean, Thi [Adou Thiero], Ziaire [Williams], Quentin [Grimes], Bull [Matisse Thybulle], Van [Jarred Vanderbilt], Jake [LaRavia] — I could go through the whole team,” he said.
“Everyone’s got their own strengths, weaknesses. But I think that these guys are really good at not allowing their weaknesses to show and really focusing on their strengths, and [making] sure that’s what’s pushing them forward, especially on the defensive side.”
2. Lakers believe they’ll be championship contenders this season
Last season, the Lakers clearly trailed the league’s elite in the West, particularly the Thunder and Spurs.
The Lakers dropped all four regular-season matchups against Oklahoma City by an average of 29.3 points and were subsequently swept in the second round. The Thunder eventually fell to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.
In response, the Lakers completely overhauled their roster last summer, injecting youth and speed.
Despite the moves, it still seemed they needed additional fine-tuning to contend, given how long the Thunder and Spurs have been playoff-tested with their current rosters.
The Lakers, however, believe the process won’t require extensive time.
They feel they’ve already arrived.
Said Redick: “I’m confident we’re gonna develop as a team into a championship-level team this year.”
When asked if he agreed, Reaves didn’t hesitate.
“I do,” he said. “Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there, too, and then Walker on the back line is not easy. I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. So, defensively, we’re going to be much better.”
That’s significant for a team that finished 19th in defensive rating last season. Kessler, the new defensive centerpiece, believes the Larry O’Brien Trophy is within reach.
“I believe so,” he said. “No question. Yeah, undoubtedly.”
3. Get ready for Luka
Doncic’s determination was ignited following his surprising February 2025 trade from the Mavericks to Los Angeles.
The fire was further fueled when LeBron James departed Los Angeles in free agency.
The Lakers are his team.
And he’s ready.
Doncic declares himself fully healthy after a strained hamstring sidelined him last postseason. He recently sank five consecutive half-court shots, leaving Reaves stunned and pausing his own press conference.
He handpicked the roster, insisting Reaves and Kessler join him, and even flew the entire team to Slovenia for a private minicamp—a first in his career.
Doncic led the league in scoring last season at 33.5 points per game, dished 8.3 assists per contest, and finished fourth in MVP voting.
Here’s to betting he delivers an MVP-caliber campaign this time around.
