For the first time in eight years, the Los Angeles Lakers are not playing on opening night. 

Since the 2018-19 season, LeBron James and the Lakers officially began their campaign on the first night of the NBA regular season, but this October, it will only be James that will headline the start of the 2026-27 regular season. The opportunity to play on opening night is given to the defending champions, the marquee players, and popular teams, and in the eyes of the league’s schedule makers, there were more than a handful of teams ahead of Los Angeles in the pecking order. 

But that’s fine. 

The Lakers are entering a new era where all eyes are truly on Luka Doncic. Doncic has had two stellar seasons in Los Angeles and while both have been marked by injuries, the six-time NBA All-Star is ready to take the reins in a season he reportedly enters fully healthy. 

Doncic’s supporting cast has gone through significant changes during the offseason, as Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Cameron Carr have replaced James, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart. That kind of roster turnover requires a proper training camp and while they will have that, Doncic will also host his current and new teammates in a mini camp in Slovenia in the coming days. That should help build the chemistry that will matter more in April than October. 

For a franchise that basks in the spotlight, the Lakers are flying under the radar and it will be helpful for them as they navigate through this new chapter. Los Angeles has technically been Doncic’s team for the better part of two seasons, but now it’s just him and Austin Reaves at the top. There’s certainly pressure on Doncic’s end, as his peers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and even Michael Porter Jr. have won NBA championships ahead of him. Perhaps the feeling of missing out will bother him. Perhaps it won’t. But make no mistake the Lakers are trying to build a contender and hope it leads to a run in June. 

Reaves too has heard the noise. From the defensive lowlights to the disappearing offense, the 28-year old has had his fair share of struggles and injuries. Like Doncic, he can take over on offense and with James out, there are a ton of opportunities for him to thrive by Doncic’s side. 

How the Los Angeles Lakers will put these all together is anyone’s guess though, as the departure of LeBron James has removed a part of the spotlight from them. It may not matter for the Lakers, however, as life goes on and if they buckle down and get to work, the rest of the NBA could be in for a surprise and Los Angeles can rain on everyone’s parade.