Can the Lakers surpass 52 wins in the new season? NBA's official website analyzes the roster improvements: initially satisfying Doncic.

On August 4, Beijing time, the NBA's official website published an article analyzing the Lakers' offseason, discussing the transition from the LeBron era to the Doncic era. During LeBron's time with the Lakers, the most wins in a regular season came in the 2019-20 season, when the team achieved 52 victories and ultimately won the championship. Will the Lakers in the new season be able to break the record set during the LeBron era?

In the past six offseasons, the question about the Lakers has always been: "Is the roster improvement enough to satisfy LeBron James?"

After all, since joining the Lakers as a free agent in July 2018, LeBron has been the core driving force of the team. He clearly yearns for a few more championship rings, just as the team hopes to raise the championship banner once again. In his first season with the team, their competitiveness fell short—finishing with a record of 37 wins and 45 losses, the worst performance since LeBron's rookie season, and it had been 14 years since his team last missed the playoffs.

Every autumn since, the core question has remained unchanged: Have the Lakers done enough to enhance their championship odds, giving LeBron a better chance to win another title? The results have been mixed: winning the championship in the 2020 Orlando "bubble," reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2023, missing the playoffs in 2022, and being eliminated in the first round in 2021, 2024, and 2025.

This summer, the question itself has changed. Now people are asking: "Is the Lakers' roster improvement enough to satisfy Luka Doncic?" The preliminary answer seems to be affirmative.

No one wants to push LeBron out the door. Even at nearly 41 years old, this four-time champion and four-time regular-season MVP remains one of the most efficient players in the league. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, made his 21st All-Star appearance, helped the Lakers achieve 50 wins, ranked sixth in MVP voting, and was selected to the second All-NBA team.

Time has not yet defeated him completely, but its power never relaxes, and what we see now is how it shapes the narrative between LeBron and the Lakers. LeBron has become an important part of the Lakers' legacy, ranking alongside "external legends" like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal, and shining alongside "home heroes" like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant in the team's historical records.

Nevertheless, the current and future stories of the Lakers will ultimately revolve around Doncic. In the past week, the Slovenian star's physical transformation has sparked discussions, seemingly confirming this point. According to a cover story in Men's Health magazine, coupled with his appearances in Nike promotional events in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the new Doncic looks stronger, healthier, and noticeably slimmer, suggesting that in the 2025-26 season, he will make the Dallas Mavericks and many skeptics pay the price.

In February this year, the Mavericks secretly traded Doncic just as he was about to turn 26 and was at the peak of his early career—this was the only NBA team he had played for, and the news shocked the basketball world. Critics (including those within and outside the Mavericks) spread and mocked the supposed reasons for the trade: Doncic had failed to maintain peak condition, making him prone to injuries, limiting his potential, and possibly affecting the length of his career as a top superstar.

Whether it's Doncic naturally focusing more on maintenance as he enters the mid-point of his career, or the trade and rumors prompting him to make changes, the stage is now set: this five-time All-NBA selection, scoring champion for the 2023-24 season, and creator of 89 career triple-doubles seems ready to welcome the most glorious season of his career.

Greater strength and better condition have led many sports superstars to breakthrough seasons, and basketball is no exception. But for Doncic, the investment behind this transformation, along with the latent "revenge desire," has the entire league buzzing.

Thus, even though LeBron has not yet stepped down from the "face" of the Lakers, Doncic seems to have become the team's "newly developed bicep"—with a sharper jawline, a leaner physique, and full of energy.

Lakers general manager Pelinka has identified some upgrade points for the roster. Deandre Ayton—2018 draft's number one pick and Doncic's contemporaneous friend—was signed by the Lakers after being bought out by the Trail Blazers. Despite Ayton's shortcomings (limited shooting and questionable effort), he is a clear upgrade compared to last season's playoffs, where the team faced a situation of "either rely on Hayes or have no one available" (the head coach at the time, Kidd, even used a no-center lineup during the team's most crucial moments).

Forward Jake LaRavia may not be as defensively capable as last season's most regrettable departure, Finney-Smith, but he is younger and boasts a three-point shooting percentage of 42%, which can benefit from the inside presence of Doncic and LeBron. Additionally, there is Smart—this experienced and tough 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, appearing in only 54 games for Memphis and Washington.

At the press conference announcing his signing, Smart revealed the transition of the Lakers era: it was Doncic who actively recruited this 11-year NBA veteran.

“When a player like Doncic calls you, talks to you, cares about you, wants to know your thoughts... wants to see if you’re willing to join this special venture he’s building here,” Smart said, “and he says he really needs my help, that means a lot.”

As the press conference neared its end, Smart mentioned he would soon chat with LeBron. This in itself felt like a passing of the baton, indicating a reordering of the team's priorities.

So, are the Lakers' moves sufficient this offseason? Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent remain with the team; Vanderbilt and Kleber should be healthier, playing more games; Knect has potential (though he may not meet expectations); Ayton and Smart are new pieces added to the puzzle, enhancing depth.

Meanwhile, Doncic is likely to become even stronger. For him and LeBron, the most important thing is to battle side by side from the start of training camp. The competition in the West is fierce, but with two All-NBA caliber "game-changers" on board, the Lakers can also become a tough opponent. They indeed have a chance to surpass 52 wins. Do you believe in this Lakers team? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.