Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Well, the Lakers certainly took advantage of the optionality that they had prepared for this summer.
Advertisement
None of the Lakers starters who helped LA jump out to a 3-0 lead against the Rockets in the playoffs are returning. In their place comes an infusion of new talent.
Los Angeles traded for Walker Kessler and signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton.
With the entire rotation getting revamped, Lakers fans will have plenty of new players to get acquainted with.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans which new Laker they were most excited to see next season.
Kessler won in a landslide.
Kessler is the new max player in Los Angeles and the center the franchise has been looking for. Luka Dončić reportedly wanted him on the team, so expectations and pressure will be at an all-time high.
Advertisement
Naturally, that makes his play very compelling, crucial to LA’s success and an exciting player to watch.
The Lakers’ first game of the upcoming year will be highly anticipated, mainly because Kessler will be making his Lakers debut.
Mamu, Grimes and Sexton will all also be important to the Lakers, but none are considered franchise players or All-Stars, so the general hype is far lower.
Another player whose hype seems to be down is LeBron James.
He has left the Lakers and is looking for a new team.
As part of our national survey, we asked NBA fans if they wanted LeBron on their favorite team. The majority said thanks, but no thanks.
A ton comes with LeBron being on a team. Yes, he is a tremendous talent, and plenty of winning will occur.
Advertisement
However, both his stans and his haters can be exhausting to hear from every day. And his agent, Rich Paul, speaking to anyone who will listen on his podcast doesn’t exactly make things any better.
Also, at LeBron’s age, the end of his career is nearing.
While he still has plenty to give to the game, it’s not surprising that fans of other teams would rather not bet on him winning another title. Maybe it’s best just to let someone else deal with the LeBron media circus and all that comes with it.
That’s no longer the Lakers’ problem, but they are hoping Kessler is the solution and the missing piece the franchise needs to be champions again.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
