Much of the discussion surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers and whether they can be a true championship contender this season has centered on their defense and whether they can get enough stops when it matters most. But one thing few are questioning is the offensive potential this team possesses.

Any team with Luka Doncic is going to be able to score at a high level and he and Austin Reaves were the highest-scoring duo in the NBA last season. And now adding a real lob-threat big man in Walker Kessler has ESPN analyst and former NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins believing the Lakers will have the best offense in the entire league, via NBA on ESPN:

“The Lakers are gonna have the best offensive team in the league.”

@KendrickPerkins has high hopes for the Lakers this season đź‘€ https://t.co/QjGLRblfva

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 16, 2026

As Perkins noted, and as has been seen during the preseason, Kessler’s presence as a screen-setter and his ability to roll hard to the basket opens up so many other things for this offense. Because teams have to account for him rolling to the paint, it opens up wide open looks from 3 for the likes of Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili or whoever else is on the court. And Kessler’s offensive rebounding will create more possessions as well.

With Doncic and Reaves leading the way, this offense already has a high floor, but the pieces the front office added can really take things to another level. Mamukelashvili has stood out immensely in preseason not just for his ability to score, but also his playmaking and decision-making as another high-IQ player. The same goes for Grimes, who can also spot up or create off the dribble which gets enhanced as defenders will have to close out on him to then open up his driving lanes.

Players like Williams and Adou Thiero are excellent cutters who will benefit from the attention drawn and point guard Collin Sexton didn’t even suit up in the preseason, but will bring another big punch of offense to this team. Even players like Jaden Hardy or rookie Cameron Carr are more than capable of getting hot on any given night.

With this many weapons on the roster, head coach JJ Redick will have plenty of options to ensure his team is putting up points at a high level and these Lakers could very well prove Perkins right and have the best offense in the NBA.

Walker Kessler embracing expectations that come with being Lakers’ center

Coming from the Utah Jazz to join the Lakers brings a ton of extra attention and expectations as L.A. always has championship expectations and a history of all-time great big men. But Kessler is embracing those expectations and using it as motivation.

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