The Lakers’ Fantasy Outlook Without LeBron James

It nonetheless appears to be like unusual to kind.

LeBron James is now not a Laker.

After eight seasons in Los Angeles, the Lakers are formally Luka Doncic‘s workforce. And as a substitute of attempting to exchange one of many best gamers in NBA historical past with one particular person, they utterly reshaped the roster.

Walker Kessler arrived from Utah. Collin Sexton came visiting from Chicago. Quentin Grimes arrived from Philadelphia. Sandro Mamukelashvili joins from Toronto.

On the way in which out? LeBron, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard.

It’s a distinct workforce. It’s additionally a really completely different fantasy workforce.

Luka Doncic

The Offense Is Officially His

Let’s begin with the plain: Everything runs via Luka now.

Not that it did not already most nights, however there will not be any questions on whose workforce that is anymore.

That’s excellent news for fantasy managers.

More possessions will start with the ball in Doncic’s palms. More late-game possessions will belong to him. More help alternatives ought to come naturally as he develops chemistry with Kessler, one of many league’s higher rim-running facilities.

Honestly, I do not know that Luka’s numbers explode. They’re already ridiculous.

What I do assume is that they change into much more constant as a result of there is not one other famous person sharing the offense.

He’s my favourite choose to complete No. 1 in fantasy basketball.

Austin Reaves

Time to Become an All-Star?

Austin Reaves simply received paid.

Now comes the enjoyable half. He now not has LeBron James dealing with the ball in crunch time.

Instead, Reaves slides comfortably into the No. 2 function subsequent to Luka, and I truly assume that is the place he is at his greatest.

He does not have to hold the offense. He does not must drive photographs. He merely will get to assault defenses which might be already apprehensive about Doncic.

That’s a reasonably good place to stay.

I count on factors, assists and effectivity to all stay robust, and I would not hesitate to draft him just a little sooner than I did a yr in the past.

Walker Kessler

Exactly the Center Luka Needed

This could wind up being my favourite basketball match of your complete offseason.

Luka has at all times thrived with large males who defend the rim, rebound every part in sight and dash to the basket.

That’s Walker Kessler.

He is not going to demand touches. He does not want performs referred to as for him. He’s going to dam photographs, end lobs and clear the glass.

Fantasy managers typically overlook gamers like that as a result of they don’t seem to be flashy. Don’t make that mistake.

Kessler’s worth ought to climb enjoying subsequent to one of many league’s greatest playmakers.

Collin Sexton

Instant Offense Off the Bench

Every contender wants somebody who can change a sport in six minutes.

That’s the place Collin Sexton is available in. I do not count on him to start out. I do count on him to attain.

The Lakers desperately wanted one other participant who may create his personal offense when Luka heads to the bench, and Sexton has been doing precisely that all through his profession.

In normal fantasy leagues, he’ll most likely be extra matchup-dependent.

In deeper codecs? He’s completely value monitoring.

Quentin Grimes

A Chance to Carve Out a Bigger Role

I actually like this addition. Grimes does not want the ball very a lot to be efficient.

He defends. He knocks down open photographs. He matches subsequent to stars. That’s precisely what the Lakers want round Luka and Reaves.

Will he change into a fantasy star? Probably not.

But if accidents hit or his minutes climb into the low 30s, he’ll change into somebody fantasy managers need on their radar.

Sandro Mamukelashvili

Quietly Interesting

Every offseason has one addition that hardly will get observed. This is likely to be it.

Mamukelashvili offers the Lakers one other expert frontcourt participant who can stretch the ground, transfer the ball and play a number of positions.

I do not assume he is draftable in most traditional leagues.

But if accidents pile up or his function grows over the course of the season, he has sufficient versatility to change into a waiver-wire title value remembering.

My Biggest Fantasy Winner

If I’m choosing one Laker who advantages probably the most from LeBron’s departure, it is Austin Reaves.

Luka was already going to be Luka. His fantasy flooring was already sky excessive.

Reaves, although, now steps right into a a lot bigger function with the total confidence of the group after signing his new contract.

Walker Kessler is not far behind. Playing with Luka has a humorous manner of creating facilities look fairly good.

There Is Still Value There

Losing LeBron James adjustments every part. But it does not essentially make the Lakers worse from a fantasy perspective.

It merely adjustments the place the worth comes from.

Luka Doncic stays one of many most secure picks in fantasy basketball. Austin Reaves ought to take one other step ahead because the unquestioned second possibility. Walker Kessler appears to be like like an ideal match within the center, whereas Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili give Los Angeles much more depth than it had a season in the past.

This is not LeBron’s workforce anymore.

From a fantasy standpoint, that is precisely what makes the Lakers one of the crucial fascinating groups to look at heading into draft season.

Questions About The Post-LeBron Lakers, Answered

Who replaces LeBron James within the Lakers’ beginning lineup?
There isn’t any direct one-for-one alternative. Instead, the Lakers reshaped the roster round Luka Doncic, including Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili whereas elevating Austin Reaves into a bigger function. The fantasy influence comes from a broader redistribution of duties fairly than one participant changing James.

Does Luka Doncic’s fantasy worth go up with out LeBron James on the roster?
Doncic stays the centerpiece of the Lakers’ offense and is the favourite to complete No. 1 in fantasy basketball. His utilization ought to stay elite, with extra possessions and late-game alternatives flowing via him. Rather than dramatically rising his manufacturing, the larger profit could also be even larger consistency.

Is Austin Reaves a greater fantasy asset with out LeBron James in Los Angeles?
Reaves is positioned to profit considerably from James’ departure. He now settles into the clear No. 2 function alongside Luka Doncic, ought to see extra crunch-time alternatives, and enters the season with the group’s confidence after signing a brand new contract. That bigger function makes him a stronger fantasy draft goal.

This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Fantasy part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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