To back up Kessler, the Lakers added three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney. Looney joined after the team traded Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards, bringing invaluable championship experience to the frontcourt and depth that should help stabilize the Lakers’ rotations.
Kevon Looney spoke during the 2026 NBA Summer League about how his past experiences, particularly playing with a player of Stephen Curry’s caliber, could help him adapt to teaming with Doncic. He explained that reading diverse defensive schemes is a major part of playing in the pick-and-roll as a big man. He noted that teams will blitz, drop, or employ other coverages, and a versatile screen game and timely reads are essential. Looney emphasized his readiness to adjust screens, angles, and pocket passes to create and open scoring opportunities for Doncic, including setting screens to free him or creating opportunities from different spots on the floor.
Looney’s background includes a decade with the Golden State Warriors, where he contributed to three championships (2017, 2018, 2022). His experience adds a valuable championship-winning mindset to a relatively young Lakers roster, potentially aiding Doncic as he leads the team.
Injuries shaped Doncic’s recent season. After a strong push post-All-Star break, he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in early April and missed the remainder of the regular season as well as the Lakers’ playoff run to the second round. He decided to limit his activity in the offseason, opting not to participate in Slovenia’s 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.
The latest updates indicate that Doncic has been cleared for basketball activities as of late May and has begun offseason workouts in full stride. He has used this summer to focus on his conditioning and skills, in addition to spending time with his two daughters following a highly publicized personal breakup.
As the Lakers prepare for the new season, all eyes will be on how the Doncic–Looney pairing functions within the team’s system, how Kessler develops in his role as the starting center, and how the supporting cast continues to evolve around their star. The offseason moves aim to balance star power with depth and experience, setting the stage for a competitive pursuit of another deep playoff run.
