As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season, they are actively seeking to enhance their roster around star guard Luka Doncic. With the team recently missing out on forward Jonathan Kuminga, the Lakers are now turning their attention to Dwight Powell, a former teammate of Doncic, as a potential offseason acquisition.
Dwight Powell, a seasoned 35-year-old big man, has been a significant presence in the NBA for several years. He and Doncic played together for six and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, where they developed a strong on-court chemistry and a close personal bond. This familiarity could be crucial for the Lakers as they look to build a competitive team.
Currently, Powell remains an unrestricted free agent after the Mavericks opted not to re-sign him this offseason. This decision has opened the door for the Lakers to potentially bring him to Los Angeles, where he could provide valuable experience and support to Doncic as the team looks to make a playoff push.
Lakers insider Khobi Price has highlighted Powell as a prime target for the team. In his analysis, Price noted, "The most significant option for the Lakers could be Dwight Powell, the 6-10, 35-year-old big man who was teammates with Doncic for 6 ½ seasons in Dallas." He emphasized that Powell has played the most games alongside Doncic, totaling 389, more than any of the other 98 players Doncic has teamed up with during his eight-year NBA career.
While Powell is a leading option, Price also mentioned other players such as Drew Eubanks, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee as potential acquisitions for the Lakers. However, Powell's extensive experience with Doncic makes him a particularly appealing choice for the franchise.
With LeBron James having departed the Lakers, the team is now looking to Doncic to take on a leadership role. As the new captain of the squad, Doncic is expected to guide the Lakers toward success in the upcoming season. Former NBA player Trevor Ariza shared his thoughts on the team's championship potential, stating, "Do I think this team that assembled right now is a championship team? You can never really tell this early. But on paper, I don’t believe so." He acknowledged, however, that with a talent like Doncic, there is always a chance to make the playoffs.
Doncic has already demonstrated his capability to lead a team to the NBA Finals during his time with the Mavericks, although they fell short against the Boston Celtics. As the Lakers look to build around him, the question remains: can Doncic replicate that success and lead the Lakers to a championship?
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