Lakers’ revamped roster brings new faces, and SB Nation Reacts is asking fans who they most want to see

The Lakers’ summer is already being measured in two ways, on the transaction wire and on the fan feed. On Monday, Yahoo Sports highlighted the next round of SB Nation Reacts, a league-wide fan survey that checks in periodically with the most plugged-in Lakers supporters and basketball fans nationally, asking a simple question: with so many new names in Los Angeles, which player are people most excited to watch this season?

The premise lands after an offseason that, according to multiple reports, featured major departures and a rapid retooling around Dončić. LeBron James’ exit from the roster was a defining storyline, and Los Angeles also moved on from several rotation pieces, including Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes, as part of a broader reset that opened room to pursue a more cohesive build around their new franchise pillar.

In terms of the players now tied to the Lakers’ next chapter, the roster additions driving fan interest are clustered around two themes: rim protection and scoring versatility. Walker Kessler is being positioned as the centerpiece defensive frontcourt move, a change that matters because it shifts the Lakers’ identity from relying primarily on perimeter shot-making and transition to adding a more stable presence near the basket. Kessler has also been described in reporting as a “missing piece” in the frontcourt fit Dončić’s game typically requires.

Alongside Kessler, the Lakers have added other pieces that could be used to change game flow. Reports connected to the offseason describe Collin Sexton as a backup guard option capable of creating points, and Sandro Mamukelashvili as another interior presence. Quentin Grimes has also been included in the mix as a backcourt scoring and spacing option, with observers framing his role around whether he can return to a three-point shooting level that would make his minutes easier to justify.

The survey question matters beyond curiosity because it reflects what fans believe the team’s “new” basketball will look like. When a roster turns over quickly, supporters tend to pick the players they think will define either matchups or highlight moments, especially in a market like Los Angeles where the expectations for stars and supporting cast are immediate and public.

For now, the SB Nation Reacts format is a way to crowdsource that sense of direction before the games start. The Lakers, meanwhile, are continuing to build a long-term structure that aligns with Dončić and the coaching staff’s planned rotations. In separate reporting, Dončić has been described as “excited” about key roster moves, including the return of Austin Reaves and the addition of Kessler.

What to watch next is simple. In the short term, the fan responses to the survey will offer a snapshot of which offseason moves are resonating most with the home crowd. In the longer term, preseason and early-season usage will clarify whether the Lakers’ frontcourt emphasis translates on defense and whether the secondary scoring pieces fit cleanly alongside Dončić’s playmaking demands. That is when “excitement” becomes something measurable on the court.