Los Angeles prep remains a work in progress as the Lakers navigate star-rest patterns with Doncic, James, and Reaves yet to share the court this camp. Sunday’s 111-103 loss to Golden State featured all three on the sideline, while Gabe Vincent stepped up with 16 points and Deandre Ayton contributed early. Coach JJ Redick preaches championship habits, pace, and physicality, chasing Kaizen—1% daily gains—across a shortened preseason slate. A week of practice remains before the Oct. 12 home tilt and the Oct. 21 opener.

With Curry and the Warriors resting veterans, the night underscored depth testing and the need for reliable fill-ins. The storylines center on workload management, ramp-ups for aging stars, and which role players will seize minutes in the early going. Fantasy managers should watch Vincent’s impact, Ayton’s early involvement, and how the Lakers balance star load with rapid, disciplined possession.

Luka Doncic is easing into Lakers camp after a summer with the Slovenian national team, prioritizing both physical and mental conditioning to protect his body for a heavy schedule ahead. The plan is to ramp up gradually through the preseason, with teammates and coachs emphasizing high-intensity work while ensuring Doncic doesn’t overtax himself. LAL peers praise his floor vision as he learns to mesh with the rest of the squad, setting the tone for a calculated, championship-focused build.

The Lakers have pushed pace and effort in camp, with Redick emphasizing championship readiness and Vincent highlighting the need to read and react alongside Doncic. Injury updates loom, as James and others will sit out the Suns game, underscoring a deliberate approach to balance development with health. The result should be a more cohesive, high-IQ attack once the regular season rolls in.

Jake LaRavia signs with the Lakers as a versatile 3-and-D wing, aimed at energizing both ends and spacing the floor for ball‑handlers. LeBron James signaled the acquisition early, underscoring a quiet yet pivotal offseason move behind the splashy additions.

The 6-foot-7 wing will guard multiple positions and fit into lineups around Luka Dončić’s gravity, with LaRavia emphasizing energy and fit while entering training camp amid injury notes on Marcus Smart, Adou Thiero, and Gabe Vincent. Maxi Kleber’s quad tweak adds a health timeline to the early rotation as the Lakers build out depth.