NBA scout likes what Lakers built around Luka Doncic

The Lakers changed plenty this summer. One NBA scout thinks they changed mostly for the better.

Los Angeles reshaped the roster following LeBron James’ departure, adding Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton while making it clear that everything now revolves around Luka Doncic.

The scout likes the result.

“They got younger, they got more athletic and they finally got a legitimate defensive center in Kessler,” the scout told Hoops Wire.

Kessler may be the most important addition. The 7-foot-2 center doesn’t require the ball and should give Doncic exactly what you’d want from a big man playing alongside him.

“That’s a really good fit with Luka because he doesn’t need touches and gives you vertical spacing and rim protection,” the scout said.

He also likes Grimes alongside Doncic and noted that Sexton gives the Lakers another guard capable of attacking the basket. Austin Reaves already has plenty of experience playing off a superstar creator.

There may actually be too many guards. As the scout put it, though, “that’s easier to fix than not having enough.”

The larger question is at power forward, particularly against bigger teams.

“Who guards those power forwards and rebounds with Kessler?” he asked.

That’s something Los Angeles may eventually need to address. Still, the scout’s overall assessment was decidedly positive.

“They tried to build a more balanced roster around Luka,” he said. “I think they accomplished that.”

That’s really the point. The Lakers weren’t going to find another LeBron. So rather than try, they built a roster that makes more sense around the superstar who’s still there.

At least one NBA scout believes they got it right.