NBA Power Rankings: Lakers Reset After LeBron Departs
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- LeBron James departed the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, with agent Rich Paul informing the team eight hours before free agency opened, triggering an immediate roster retrofit around Luka Doncic.
- The Lakers traded for 7-2 center Walker Kessler via sign-and-trade with Utah, sending two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps and signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal.
- The Philadelphia 76ers made the offseason's most aggressive swing, acquiring Jaylen Brown via trade and shedding Paul George's contract after getting swept by the eventual champion Knicks in the second round.
- Victor Wembanyama accepted a steep discount on what should have been a supermax extension, anchoring the San Antonio Spurs at No. 2 as they retained their Finals roster and added veteran Tobias Harris.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves executed what ESPN called the "boom-or-bust" deal of the offseason, trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid to acquire polarizing point guard LaMelo Ball.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder held the No. 1 ranking despite trading rotation players Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort in cost-cutting moves that shed $200 million worth of luxury tax payments.
- The Denver Nuggets drew pointed scrutiny from ESPN panelists, who noted the franchise has done "nothing of consequence" to reverse three years of backsliding since winning the 2023 title.
Why it matters: The Lakers mortgaged two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps for Walker Kessler to rebuild around Doncic in the immediate aftermath of LeBron's exit. Oklahoma City shed $200 million in luxury tax while keeping the top ranking, and ESPN panelists openly questioned Denver's direction after three stagnant years since the 2023 title. The rankings leave the entire league's balance of power hinging on where LeBron lands next.
