The Lakers’ preseason did exactly what a preseason is supposed to do: it gave a glimpse of what this roster can be, while also leaving plenty to clean up before the games start counting.
There were bright spots. There were fits that make sense. And there were some ugly numbers that the Lakers would rather bury before the regular season gets underway.
One of the biggest positives came from Ziaire Williams, who arrived on a one-year, $2.8 million deal and looked like he might be one of the offseason’s sneakiest values. The 25-year-old played in only two preseason games, but he made those minutes count, averaging 13.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists while shooting 81.8 percent from the field and 100 percent from three.
That kind of efficiency won’t last forever, but the early returns were enough to get the Lakers excited about what he can bring. If he keeps hitting shots and stays solid defensively, this could end up being the team’s best bargain.
Sandro Mamukelashvili also made his case as a useful piece. Across the preseason, he put up 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range.
What stood out most was the variety in his game. He can run in transition, space the floor and make plays for others.
That matters for a team that cannot be built only around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Mamukelashvili showed he can do more than just wait in the corner, and he also showed he can fit alongside Doncic and Reaves.
That’s why the lack of time spent by Doncic, Reaves and Walker Kessler together is such a concern. Those three were on the floor together for just 13 minutes across five preseason games.
That is a tiny sample for a group that needs chemistry, timing and an understanding of each other’s tendencies. Doncic and Reaves already know how to make things work offensively, but Kessler still needs reps with both guards.
Ideally, that work would have happened in the preseason. Instead, the Lakers now have to sort it out once the regular season begins, which could lead to some early-season growing pains even with a relatively "easy schedule" to start.
The turnover problem only adds to the concern. Los Angeles averaged 23 turnovers per game in the preseason, and while some of that came without Doncic available, it is still a massive number.
This offense leans heavily on Doncic and Reaves as creators, which means the Lakers cannot keep asking them to solve every possession while defenses load up and try to force the ball out of their hands. Collin Sexton missing all of the preseason with what JJ Redick called a 'lower-right-leg injury' only made that issue more noticeable.
The way the Lakers handled the preseason also left them short on continuity. Their decision to rest players and experiment meant they rarely had the group together at close to full strength, with the preseason finale being the only time that really happened.
With nine new players on the roster, that approach left them without enough time to build rhythm. It felt like Redick didn’t care about the preseason, which was the wrong approach given the amount of turnover on the roster.
Then there was Bronny James, whose preseason was a rough one. He averaged just 2.2 points per game, hit only 1 of 8 from three and turned the ball over 12 times.
Redick said James wasn’t at his best in games but did show promise in practice. Expectations should stay modest, but the Lakers will still be watching for progress as the season unfolds.
James has shown that over the years, but this preseason was unquestionably a disappointment. He had the chance to prove he could handle more responsibility, and his struggles with decision-making and offense left that question unanswered.
In Other News...
Adou Thiero Is Forcing His Way Into A Real Lakers Debate
The Lakers have spent the offseason trying to reshape their roster around youth and athleticism, and Adou Thiero has already become one of the more interesting pieces in that conversation. The second-year wing has put together encouraging preseason work and, in the process, earned the trust of coach JJ Redick as a player who can help bring energy and versatility to a group still sorting out its best combinations.
Even with a minor injury slowing him right now, Thiero looks like a legitimate candidate to push for regular rotation minutes once the season gets moving. For a Lakers team looking for more defensive edge and more legs on the perimeter, his path is simple in theory and competitive in practice, which is exactly why this is starting to feel like a real debate rather than a training-camp subplot. [Read more 🡒]
James Worthy Sees A Surprising Lakers Fit Fans Need To Watch
Sandro Mamukelashvili has already given the Lakers something to chew on during preseason, and it is the kind of performance that tends to catch the eye of people who have seen just about everything. James Worthy came away impressed by the way Mamukelashvili plays, praising the mix of physicality and skill in his game and even likening the style to Manu Ginobili. Against the Nuggets, he backed it up with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, a line that stood out because it came from a player doing more than just filling space on the floor.
For a Lakers team still sorting out its rotation and identities, that kind of versatility matters. JJ Redick has described Mamukelashvili as an offensive piece who can move between positions, and he expects him to be involved in a meaningful way this season. The question now is how that preseason promise translates once the games start to count, especially if his ability to fit into different lineup combinations turns out to be more important than anyone first imagined. [Read more 🡒]