The Los Angeles Lakers moved quickly after LeBron James left in free agency. Instead of starting a long rebuild, Los Angeles immediately shifted its focus to Luka Dončić and rebuilt the roster around the new face of the franchise.
The aggressive approach made it clear that the Lakers still expect to compete for a championship despite losing one of the game’s all-time greats. Because of those moves, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins gave plenty of credit to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.
Kendrick Perkins Praises Lakers’ Roster Rebuild Around Luka Dončić
Speaking on ESPN, Perkins praised how fast the front office reshaped the roster after James’ expected exit.
“Rob Pelinka came out like a miracle worker, and what he did today, I must say, if I had to give him a grade, I’d give him an A-,” he said, pointing to Pelinka’s active start to free agency.
Perkins believes the new-look Lakers could become one of the league’s most dangerous offensive groups. “This team is going to be one of, if not the, best offensive teams in the NBA. I love the additions, especially Walker Kessler,” he added.
The Lakers acted quickly after James’ exit and landed Kessler in one of the biggest deals of the offseason by sending two first-round picks and two pick swaps to the Utah Jazz.
While Kessler suited up in just 5 games last season, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds. The year prior, those numbers tallied 11.1 points and 12.1 rebounds across 58 games.
Those numbers rank him among the NBA’s most impactful defensive centers and give the Los Angeles Lakers a proven interior presence who is just entering his prime.
Those numbers prompted the organization to commit to a four-year, $130 million deal, tying down Kessler long-term.
But that’s not all. Pelinka also added depth players.
The front office also agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract with former Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, and signed former Toronto Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal.
Marcus Smart, meanwhile, has agreed to join the Houston Rockets early in free agency, while center Jaxson Hayes signed with the Utah Jazz. Power forward Rui Hachimura looks likely to leave, though the Lakers could still clear some room to bring him back.
Rookie Cameron Carr is also expected to take on a bigger role this year, and Dalton Knecht will be expected to pick his game up after an uneven 2025-26 campaign.
As a result, the Lakers will lean more heavily on younger players. How those players develop could shape the team’s ceiling.
DON’T MISS: NBA Rumors: Lakers Considering ‘High-Upside Swing’ in Hunt for ‘Perimeter Defense’ Upgrade
Perkins, however, likes the direction of the offseason but stopped short of calling Los Angeles a championship favorite.
“I’m not saying that they’re title contenders,” Perkins added. “The Western Conference Finals is their ceiling.”
Still, Rob Pelinka appears confident Dončić’s elite playmaking and Kessler’s interior defense can give the Lakers an edge in a loaded Western Conference. If that combination clicks as expected, Los Angeles could field one of the NBA’s most explosive offenses.
