With the LeBron James era officially over, it is time to move on to the Luka era and all his new teammates with the cap space the Lakers have used this offseason.
While the Lakers may have assembled a new squad this summer, many of the players already had connections to one another, which could speed up the process of building chemistry.
Let’s take a look at those.
Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves played together at the FIBA World Cup in 2023. Kessler has also played with Jared Vanderbilt for half a season
in his rookie season.
Collin Sexton played with Kessler in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, developing a great chemistry with one another.
Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes has played with Luka Dončić in the season after the Finals run and hold each other in high regard as despite not playing together very long. JJ has a connection with Grimes as, prior to him becoming coach of the Lakers, the pair worked out with JJ showing the process of being a professional.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Luka has already reached out to Mamu about the fit together and how that will work. Mamu also played in Europe with Virtus Bologna while Luka was with Real Madrid.
Collin Sexton
He has chemistry with Kessler from his Jazz days. Collin Sexton was on Redick’s podcast “The Old Man and the Three.”
Jaden Hardy
Jaden Hardy played with Luka for two-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks and was even part of the 2023-24 Finals run.
Ziare Williams
He has chemistry with Bronny James from Sierra Canyon High School. He has also played with Jake LaRavia with the Memphis Grizzlies in his early years.
Kevon Looney
He doesn’t have any chemistry with any of the current players on the roster, but he has lots of experience with ex-Lakers or soon-to-be Lakers in the following seasons with D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, Juan Toscano- Anderson, Quinn Cook, and JaVale McGee.
Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle doesn’t have any connections to current players on the roster, but during his time in Portland, he played with players who have played in Los Angeles. Those include Josh Hart, Shaquille Harrison, Skylar Mays, Gary Payton II and Cam Reddish, both prior to and after being on the Lakers. JJ Redick also talked with him on his podcast four years ago.
With these connections among themselves and with the Lakers franchise, it should help develop chemistry. And with Luka hosting a mini camp in Slovenia, it should help build even more bonds to start the 2026-2027 NBA season.
