As the Los Angeles Lakers head into the 2025-26 season, morale is high as well as expectations. After ending the 2024 season with a 50-32 record, and getting eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers have fully rebuilt their identity around new and familiar faces.
In the middle of the 2024-2025 season, the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić in a trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dončić. Dončić has consistently been a finalist for MVP nomination and is predominantly an offensive player, making him a key piece in determining how competitively the Lakers can keep the score.
Some MECA students and staff are excited to see the development of the team.
“With the Roster,” freshman Daniel Martinez said, “they were able to build up last year. I am excited to see how far they make it this year.”
A major relationship to follow will be that of Lebron James and Dončić as two superstar players now on the same team. Since both met each other mid-season, their cohesion as teammates had to be built on the fly. However, both were able to get a combined 59 assists between them. Since going through training together in the off-season, it will be seen how well the two play styles have coalesced.
As James enters his record-breaking 23rd year of playing in the NBA, many students and staff at MECA seem to believe that this season will be his last.
“I believe no matter the outcome of this season, this will be Lebron’s last, unfortunately,” sophomore Jorge Martinez said.
James’s age doesn’t prevent him from being one of the all-star players on the team. Last season, James averaged around 24 points, eight rebounds, and roughly eight assists over the course of 70 games (NBA Preview). Few players have put up numbers like this, and it is unclear how much longer James may play, so fans like Martinez enjoy it while it
lasts.
The Lakers begin their 76th year as a team, having been established in 1949 as the Minneapolis Lakers. They moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and have been there ever since. Their lasting impact is felt as one of the most popular teams in the National Basketball Association.
Overall, some students and staff are expecting a lot from the 2025-2026 season from the Lakers.
