The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t waste any time. The moment LeBron James made it clear he was done in L.A., the front office started moving fast. And Skip Bayless? He’s enjoying every second of it.
The Lakers agreed to a $130 million sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, landing center Walker Kessler. That’s a big upgrade at the five spot for Luka Doncic, who finally gets the shot-blocker and pick-and-roll threat he’s been asking for. Kessler fills a real hole, and Bayless noticed right away.
“Strong move by the Lakers to acquire and sign Walker Kessler, the shotblocker/offensive rebounder/pick-and-roller Luka has lacked and wanted,” Bayless said. “Mamu, Sexton & Grimes aren’t bad pickups, either. All this was made possible by saying no to LeGone’s demand.”
Bayless has never been shy about his feelings on LeBron. So watching the Lakers pivot hard toward a younger, cheaper, more flexible roster is like Christmas morning for him. The team also extended Austin Reaves last week, locking in a core of Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler. That’s not a bad trio to build around.
Stephen A. Smith Has a Different Take
Not everyone is as pumped as Bayless. Stephen A. Smith went off on the Lakers after LeBron’s departure became official. But his criticism wasn’t about talent or fit. It was about something else entirely.
“Where the h*** the Los Angeles Lakers think they’re going with a bunch of white dudes,” Smith said on his show. “Your top 3 players are white dudes. This ain’t golf; this ain’t baseball. It ain’t even soccer.”
Smith’s point is blunt, but he’s not wrong about the visual shift. The Lakers have gone from a LeBron-led team with Anthony Davis to something that looks completely different. Doncic is Slovenian. Reaves is from Arkansas. Kessler is a big white kid from Georgia. It’s a new look for a franchise that’s always been about star power and flash.
LeBron’s eight-year run in L.A. ended with one championship in 2020. That’s not bad, but it’s not what anyone expected when he signed. Now he’s reportedly looking at other options, and the Lakers are moving on.
What This Means for Next Season
The Western Conference is still brutal. Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Dallas — none of them are going anywhere. But the Lakers now have a clear identity. Doncic runs everything. Reaves handles the ball. Kessler cleans up mistakes. That’s a functional team, even if it doesn’t scare anyone on paper.
No one knows where LeBron ends up. But the Lakers aren’t waiting around to find out.
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