Stephen A. Smith does not expect the Los Angeles Lakers to reach the Western Conference finals with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler leading their new core.
Speaking with Steve Mason on ESPN LA, Smith identified the second round as his ceiling for Los Angeles.
His concerns centered on the defense of the starting backcourt and how much offense Kessler can provide.
“Trip to the Western Conference semifinals,” said Smith. “That’s about it. I can’t see the Los Angeles Lakers getting any further than that. Matter of fact, I’d be proud of them if they got that far.”
Smith also put the Lakers no higher than fifth in his Western Conference outlook, with reservations about even that placement.
“I don’t think Luka Doncic with Austin Reaves is a backcourt that’s going to scare anybody defensively,” said Smith. “I don’t think that Walker Kessler is somebody that’s going to scare anybody offensively.”
He argued that retaining LeBron James alongside the current core would have left Los Angeles in a better position.
“You still should’ve kept LeBron James there,” said Smith. “Because that was something they were unable to do, I find it very, very difficult to imagine that the Lakers are gonna be better off without LeBron James this upcoming season.”
ESPN LA shared the interview Monday.
🚨👀 What are Stephen A. Smith’s expectations for the Lakers this season?! 💜💛 @stephenasmith joins the @VeniceMase & @LAIreland Show to sound off on Luka, LeBron, and what Lakers fans should expect heading into the new season! 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/eTf9FAOYGk
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) October 19, 2026
Walker Kessler’s offensive role is still developing
The Lakers have already identified a specific challenge for their new center: making decisions when defenses send two players at Doncic or Reaves.
As detailed in Lakers Daily’s report on Doncic’s comments after Monday’s practice, Denver’s aggressive coverage in the preseason finale gave Kessler a different assignment than simply rolling toward the basket.
Receiving the ball behind that pressure requires him to recognize whether to finish or move it to a teammate.
Kessler acknowledged after the Denver game that learning to play with both guards would take time. That development matters when assessing his offense: His scoring total will capture only part of his contribution if he can help turn traps into open shots for other players.
Against Denver, Kessler recorded six points and four assists, shooting 2-of-8. The assists offer some context alongside the poor shooting, although they do not establish that the Lakers have solved their problems against pressure.
Collin Sexton’s return gives Lakers another option
Los Angeles also has an offensive addition who has yet to appear in a preseason game. Collin Sexton returned to full practice Monday after dealing with lower-leg tightness, but his availability for Wednesday’s opener against Golden State remained unresolved.
His absence had consequences for the rotation. Before the preseason finale, the Lakers’ problems generating offense through their reserve ball-handlers contributed to JJ Redick trying Quentin Grimes off the bench.
Redick subsequently left open the possibility of starting Grimes. A healthy Sexton would give the coach another option for possessions without Doncic or Reaves running the offense.
His return would not settle Smith’s concerns about the starting guards’ defense, but it could change how Redick distributes ball-handling responsibilities.
The Lakers enter the opener with those questions still unresolved: how quickly Kessler can become comfortable alongside the two guards and which backcourt combinations Redick can use with Sexton available.
Smith has already delivered his verdict on the roster’s ceiling; Los Angeles has yet to play a regular-season game with this group.
