With LeBron James gone, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are facing new challenges. There are doubts about the Lakers’ potential in the 2026–2027 season given the new era and No. 1 player.
Most fans want to see the Lakers reach the postseason. However, the team has a new group. Not only did James leave in the offseason, but players like Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes left in free agency. The team needs to develop chemistry early in the regular season to get into their groove.
Derek Fisher, a former Lakers player and head coach, is candid about how successful he believes the team will be in the upcoming season. The five-time NBA champion appeared on 97.1 The Fan LA, via SI’s Ryan Ward, to talk about his former team.
Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) stands on the court during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
“I think Luka and Austin Reaves are basically an All-Star backcourt that you can roll out every night,” Fisher said. “And then Walker Kessler is a young, developing, almost All-Star-ish type of big in terms of his elite defense and rebounding.”
“I think you have a chance at 45 to 50 wins,” he said. “A lot of things are going to have to go right, but it feels fair to me.”
“I think Luka and Austin Reaves are basically an All-Star backcourt that you can roll out every night,” Fisher said. “And then Walker Kessler is a young, developing, almost All-Star-ish type of big in terms of his elite defense and rebounding.”
“I think you have a chance at 45 to 50 wins,” he said. “A lot of things are going to have to go right, but it feels fair to me.”
Fisher said that the Lakers won’t repeat the past. The former player pointed out that former teams that James left usually struggled in their first season. However, Luka Doncic could potentially break that chain ahead of the new season.
Fans are waiting for Luka Doncic to become a successful NBA star. Although he’s been a consistent All-Star and All-NBA player, Doncic has yet to win a title. In 2024, he came close to winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy when he led the Dallas Mavericks to the Finals against the Boston Celtics. However, they came up short.
Doncic might struggle to win a championship, according to many fans and experts. However, Fisher believes that the Slovenian star can still contend for a title.
“The short answer is yes,” Fisher said. “Congratulations to Luka on the All-NBA First Team. He slowly worked his way up the MVP conversation late. The post-All-Star break run he was on prior to the injury was, yeah, there was another level of basketball that he was playing. Not just the scoring, but I thought his defense was improving.”
“The short answer is yes,” Fisher said. “Congratulations to Luka on the All-NBA First Team. He slowly worked his way up the MVP conversation late. The post-All-Star break run he was on prior to the injury was, yeah, there was another level of basketball that he was playing. Not just the scoring, but I thought his defense was improving.”
Fisher said that Doncic can attract stars in free agency with the way he shares the ball.
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