The Lakers’ roller coaster of a 2025-26 season came to an end on Monday night with their second round Game 4 loss to the Thunder.
The ending came both later and sooner than expected.
With Luka Doncic sidelined for all of the playoffs because of a hamstring strain, and Austin Reaves missing the first four games of the postseason, most pundits and writers – including those at the California Post – didn’t expect for them to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
And they did.
But once the Lakers got matched up against the Thunder, most expected for them to win at least one game in the second round before the season ended.
That didn’t happen, bringing finality to a Lakers’ season that featured many twists and turns.
How do the Lakers – from the players to head coach – grade out for the season?
LeBron James missed the first 14 regular season games, and 22 in total. Austin Reaves was sidelined for 31 regular games and four playoff games. Luka Doncic missed the end of the season and all of the playoffs.
And yet, the Lakers won 53 regular season games for their best winning percentage in an 82-game season since 2010-11. They won a first round playoff series without their best player.
There are areas of improvement for Redick.
But he and his staff deserve credit for not only getting the Lakers through the year, but leading them to as successful of a season as expected despite the twists and turns.
James’ unprecedented 23rd NBA season was unlike any other year in his career.
He started the season unavailable because of sciatica, the first time in his legendary career that he didn’t start a season healthy.
James went from the co-second option alongside Reaves behind Doncic to the second option while Reaves was sidelined to the third option during the Lakers’ best stretch of the season in March back to the primary option once Doncic and Reaves suffered their regular season-ending injuries on April 2.
He thrived in each role, leading the Lakers past the first round of the playoffs.
There was a clear decline from last season to this one for James. But he continued to redine what the latter stages of a career can look like.
After an offseason of getting settled and focusing on his fitness, Doncic reclaimed his spot as one of the NBA’s best players in 2025-26.
He led the league in scoring (33.5 points) and was the only player to be named Western Conference Player of the Month twice (January and March).
No player was better than Doncic in March. He averaged 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists during a 15-2 month for the Lakers.
Fair or not, the biggest blemish is that the left hamstring strain he suffered on April 2 not only held him out of the last five regular season games, but all 10 playoff games, leaving a “what if” sentiment surrounding the franchise.
Reaves had a career-year, including averaging a career-high 23.3 points, and was once again one of the league’s most underpaid players – probably for the last time.
The 27-year-old star guard played at an All-Star, and All-NBA at the start of the season, level when he was on the court.
He brought elements of downhill force that the Lakers lacked without him.
Even after missing a month because of the aforementioned oblique strain he suffered on April 2, Reaves had multiple big games throughout the playoffs to help keep the Lakers’ season afloat.
The lone knock was his 31 regular season and four playoff games missed.
Smart proved he can still contribute to winning basketball on both ends of the floor after two forgettable seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards.
He was the Lakers’ best defender and tone-setter when it came to hustle plays. His 62 regular season games played were his most since the 2021-22 season. He stepped up as a playmaker when the team was without one of its stars – a regular occurrence. Smart was stellar in the first round against the Rockets, especially earlier in the series.
His decision-making and efficiency were rooms for improvement, but he provided a lot more value than the $5.13 million salary he had for the Lakers in 2025-26.
Like Smart, Ayton came into the season with a lot to prove after the previous two seasons dinged his reputation.
When he was at his best, so were the Lakers, evident by the strong start to the season for both parties and the first round series against the Rockets.
But there was a tension about Ayton doing the things he wanted to do and doing the things the Lakers needed him to do in terms of rebounding, protecting the rim and doing the things that don’t show up in the box score.
The highs were very good, but the lulls bring down his grade.
Hachimura had the most efficient scoring of his career, including shooting 44.3% on 3s, a top-five mark in the league.
He was even better in the playoffs, once again showing he plays better when it matters most: 17.5 points on 56.9% shooting on 3s. His 51.6% career 3-point percentage in the playoffs is an all-time career record.
His defensive awareness/focus isn’t always where it should be. And at his size (6-foot-8, 230 pounds) he should be a better rebounder.
But he showed a willingness to adapt to a reserve role after being a starter the previous two seasons, before finishing as a starter again. Entering unrestricted free agency, Hachimura should be a priority for the Lakers.
Hayes solidified himself as a quality backup big man who can play starters minutes if needed – like he did in Game 4 against the Thunder, when he scored a playoff career-high 18 points.
He fits the archetype (rim-running, athletic) that Doncic prefers to play alongside.
Hayes likely earned himself a pay raise this summer entering free agency.
Kennard immediately showed the importance of putting shooting around Doncic after he was traded from the Hawks to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick in February.
As the league-leader in 3-point percentage (47.8%), he opened up the floor in the backcourt in ways not many people can. He flashes his playmaking skills and his ability to get defenses off-balanced.
Kennard was a big reason why the Lakers finished the regular season on a high note, and had an early advantage over the Rockets.
But the playoff inconsistencies in the playoffs and defensive issues prevented him from getting into the “A” territory.
LaRavia’s first season with the Lakers got off to a great start but ended with him being phased out of the rotation for the final two playoff games.
Playing all 82 regular season games impressed. So did his improvements as a defender and the energy he brought.
His his offensive skillset needs to improve, starting with his 3-point shoooting (career-worst 32.1% during the regular season).
It was clear early on that Vanderbilt wouldn’t be in the primary rotation unless there was an injury.
Vanderbilt can be disruptive defensively, but the lack of outside shooting and interior finishing makes him an easy player to help off of when the Lakers are on offense.
Coming off a $11.6 million salary for 2025-26, with a $12.4 million salary for 2026-27 and a $13.3. million player option for 2027-28, Vanderbilt will continue to be viewed as a negative assest from a trade standpoint.
You’d want more from a player with a $11 million salary.
But Kleber provided what his physical limitations allowed him to.
The younger James took important steps in his development, including being a part of the rotation during the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
In some moments, he looked timid. As the season progressed, he played more confidently.
The goal for next season should be a rotation spot.
It became evident the Lakers didn’t view their 2024 first round pick as someone who could contribute to winning on this year’s team.
Knecht regressed, sparingly betting playing time once the team hit its stride in January.
The Lakers’ rookie played just 149 minutes after a surgery while he was in college in Arkansas stopped him from playing in summer league and prevented him from being ready for the start of the season.
He got important playing time during the playoffs.
All three of the Lakers’ free agency signings (Smart, Ayton and LaRavia) and the trade acquisition (Kennard) all made positive impacts.
And the Lakers didn’t give up any assets of significance to acquire those players, maintaining their optionality entering a pivotal offseaason for Pelinka to build a true title-contending roster.
The Lakers get an A- grade for the season.
They overachieved by most standards – including the projections from most betting websites and sports books by over six wins.
Any time the Lakers start a season, the team’s ultimate goal is to win a championship.
They didn’t do that.
But the roster was maximized considering the circumstances.
Outside of winning the title or drastic roster changes, that’s all you can ask for.
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