Lakers Adjusted Roster for Outside Shooting
The Los Angeles Lakers added new personnel this summer to improve their long-range shooting capabilities.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Lakers revamped their roster during the summer of 2026 to prioritize floor spacing and outside shooting. This strategic shift aims to create more operating room for key players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Why it matters
The team is moving away from an interior-focused approach to modernize their offense and address recent struggles with long-range accuracy. By increasing shooting volume, the Lakers hope to optimize their offensive efficiency and better support their primary playmakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers ranked 14th in 3-point shooting percentage and 24th in 3-point attempts last season. Walker Kessler arrives after playing just 5 games in his previous season due to shoulder surgery.
The players
Luka Doncic
He is an elite NBA playmaker whose offensive production relies on creating space for himself and his teammates.
Austin Reaves
He is a versatile guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who serves as a primary option in their offensive sets.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
He is a hybrid power forward and center known for his ability to provide perimeter spacing for his team.
Walker Kessler
He is a center who joined the roster following a season abbreviated by shoulder surgery.
Montrezl Harrell
He is a professional basketball player who previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020-2021 season.
The details
The franchise acquired Sandro Mamukelashvili to serve as a hybrid frontcourt threat while adding Walker Kessler, who began incorporating 3-point shots into his game during his limited action last year. These additions signal an intentional effort to shift the team identity toward a long-range shooting unit.
Timeline
The team ranked in the bottom third for 3-point accuracy during the 2019-2020 season.
Montrezl Harrell played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020-2021 season.
The Lakers finished 14th in 3-point percentage during the 2025-2026 season.
The organization executed these specific personnel moves in Summer 2026.
Season Trajectory
The Lakers' shift toward perimeter shooting aligns with the broader NBA trend of increasing 3-point volume to maximize offensive efficiency. This move aims to elevate the team from a mid-tier shooting squad to a more competitive force in the Western Conference standings.
The addition of shooting threats like Mamukelashvili and Kessler suggests that the team will rely less on traditional post-scoring and more on perimeter-based gravity. Fans should anticipate a higher volume of 3-point attempts per game as the coaching staff implements this spacing-centric offensive philosophy.
The takeaway
The Lakers are fundamentally altering their offensive identity to align with modern league trends that prioritize long-range efficiency. Implementing this shooting-focused approach is a necessary step to better utilize the skills of their primary playmakers.
Further reading
For more on the current team structure, visit the Los Angeles Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lakers Wire.
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