3 biggest questions for LA Lakers heading into 2026

The LA Lakers (19-10) are facing a mid-season crisis. They have dropped from second place in the West standings to fifth place. After having a great start to the season, securing seven wins in their first 10 games, the Purple and Gold are now on a three-game losing streak.

It is the first three-game losing streak for LA this season. They suffered their latest defeat on Christmas Day as the Houston Rockets blew past them both offensively and defensively to secure a 119-96 win.

JJ Redick called out his players for the drop in their performance in a press conference following the loss on Thursday. The Lakers, who appeared to be potential challengers for the championship this season, look like a completely different team in the last few weeks.

With this year coming to an end soon, let us take a look at the three biggest questions the Lakers need to answer heading into 2026:

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Will the Lakers make a trade?

Rob Pelinka's front office made some crucial moves this offseason, the most impressive ones being the signing of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. Ayton was brought in to address the lack of size on the roster. So far, the big man has proved himself as a good acquisition, averaging 15.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

LaRavia, on the other hand, has proved himself as a good rotational player who can bring in a bucket when needed. However, his lackluster defense often gives away easy points.

The question for the Lakers now is whether they will trade for a 3 & D wing before the trade deadline. Dorian Finney-Smith provided good value to the Purple and Gold last season. He was consistent from the 3-point line and while not the best defensive player on the floor, Finney-Smith's efforts in rebounding and lockdowns helped the team in defensive possessions.

The Purple and Gold need a player to help them get consistent points from the perimeter while keeping the pressure up on defense. The NBA trade deadline ends on 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 5.

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Will Luka Doncic learn to play off-ball?

The next question for the Lakeshow related to their star player, Luka Doncic. The five-time All-Star is an offensive juggernaut who is almost unstoppable when hot. However, with Doncic on the squad, the Lakeshow now has three players who require the ball in their hands to be at their best.

While LeBron James has evolved his game to suit the different phases of his career. However, he is still the most effective when on the ball. Austin Reaves has also proved his offensive potential this season when he has the rock in his hand.

Luka Doncic adapting his game to incorporate more off-ball plays will allow the other players on the squad to have more impact on the game. Doncic is averaging 33.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game on 46.1% shooting.

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Is Austin Reaves really untouchable?

Austin Reaves is having a breakout season. The Lakers star has proven himself as a player who can carry a team multiple times. He is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game on 50.7% shooting.

The hillbilly Kobe has raised his stock in the trade market tremendously. In the Sept. 6th episode of "The Hoops Collective" podcast in 2024, NBA insider Brian Windhorst said that JJ Redick had big plans for Reaves, suggesting that he was untouchable.

However, more recent reports from analysts suggest that the Lakers need to trade Reaves to make their lineup championship-caliber. On Monday, NBA analytics expert Tom Haberstroh said that the Lakeshow were defensively vulnerable with Reaves.

"The Lakers aren’t going to go deep in the postseason with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, and they need to make a move sooner than later," he wrote in his substack article. "All three players deserve better: Doncic needs better defenders and athletes; LeBron can’t be playing 35.4 minutes per game; Reaves deserves a chance to be The Guy."

The Lakers might not want to trade Austin Reaves, but a big offer involving some of the big names in the league, like Giannis Antetokounmpo, might change their intentions.

Edited by Avi Shravan