The Lakers have signed some decent players in the wake of LeBron James’ departure, but one Lakers legend thinks that defense will be the 2026-27 rosters’ downfall.
With the blessing of Luka Doncic, the Lakers went out and signed big man Walker Kessler, who was long rumored to be heading to LAL.
On top of that, the team signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Ziaire Williams and elite defender Matisse Thybulle.
However, former Lakers champion and coach Byron Scott is concerned with the team’s defense, given a lack of two-way personnel on the roster.
“I think some of their moves were really good. And I think the question is you’re gonna be able to score, but can you stop anybody? NBA Champions, it hasn’t changed in 40 years,” Scott told Lakers Nation at the 26th annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation celebrity dinner. “The teams that are normally winning the NBA Championship as usually top five in defensive efficiency as well. That’s still a part of the game they’re gonna have to address and they’re gonna have to try to figure out what players they’re gonna bring in that could help them. They’re still out there. I don’t think the book is totally written and we just gotta wait and see.
“But some of the moves this summer I think were good. I think the trade with New York to get the kid (Cameron) Carr over here, I think he’s a very athletic, young basketball player that could play on both ends of the floor. They gotta find more like that. So it’s gonna be interesting. But it is an era now where it’s Luka’s team and we’ll see where that goes.”
There are certainly going to be a lot of things to sort out with the purple and gold this season, on and off the court.
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