The post-LeBron James era has officially arrived in Los Angeles, and the Lakers are aggressively restructuring their roster around Luka Dončić.
While some remain skeptical of the team’s new direction, FS1’s Jason McIntyre is fully on board with the new-look Lakers.
Jason McIntyre Boldly Forecasts Revamped Lakers’ 2026-27 Outlook
Besides James, the Lakers saw several notable players exit this offseason, including Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes. While McIntyre admitted he was disappointed to see Hachimura and others depart, the analyst remains optimistic about LA’s outlook for the 2026-27 season.
“I’m just telling you, the Lakers are winning 50 or more games, and the only two teams better than them for sure right now in the West are the [Oklahoma City] Thunder and the [San Antonio] Spurs. That’s it,” McIntyre said on “The Herd” on Wednesday.
“I know the starting lineup change is a little shifty, and obviously, not having Luka in the playoffs hurt. You guys remember, he’s a great player. He’s one of the five best players in the league, undeniably. Obviously, Austin Reaves is a great creator.”
“The Lakers are winning 50 or more games. The only 2 teams better than them for sure right now in the West are the Thunder and the Spurs. That’s it.”@jasonrmcintyre is buying all the Lakers stock heading into next season pic.twitter.com/FfUsmdoIL0
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 8, 2026
The Lakers heavily retooled their roster, most notably acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster sign-and-trade to fill their long-standing need at center. Los Angeles also added Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Kevon Looney to boost its depth.
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The front office is still pursuing unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, who averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field during the 2025-26 campaign.
McIntyre believes those additions, combined with the possibility of signing Kuminga and Dončić’s superstar impact, give the Lakers the ingredients to contend.
“Quentin Grimes, we’ll see. I like him. I think Kuminga starts over him,” McIntyre continued. “Sandro, is he the next Rui? I don’t know, man. I got to plead ignorance on the big guy, Sandro, who barely could get on the court in Toronto. We’ll see. But I just need you guys to remember, Luka Dončić elevates everyone to the level that LeBron did in his day.
“… Luka can carry a team. And I’m looking around the West, and I’m like, [the] Minnesota [Timberwolves], are they better? LaMelo Ball? LaMelo Ball vs. Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. It’s going to be fun. Sure. There’ll be a lot of dunks and exciting alley-oops. Is there going to be a lot of wins in the playoffs?”
LA also added rookie wing Cameron Carr, acquired with the No. 24 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft through a draft-night trade with the New York Knicks. Carr has already impressed during Summer League, and if the Lakers finalize a deal for Kuminga, their offseason overhaul could result in immediate success next season.
