This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/lakers as Lakers Receive Unfortunate End-of-Season Prediction From Insider. The Los Angeles have had an uneven start to their 2025-26 campaign.

But the price to pay in trading for Markkanen would be expensive. In a potential deal with the Jazz, the Lakers have to match the star forward’s massive $46MM-plus annual salary. Not to mention, Danny Ainge will definitely seek draft assets before letting the Finnish sensation go.

The reserve center, who played 14 minutes in the season-opening loss to Golden State on Tuesday, was ruled out for Friday’s playoff rematch with Minnesota because of left knee soreness.

The major storyline is Luka Dončić guiding the Lakers to a dominant win over a top-tier foe in the Western Conference, dispatching Minnesota by a final margin of 128-110. However, the Slovenian’s individual excellence is to be marveled at:

The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2025-26 campaign at home. Luka Dončić had a magnificent, 43-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist performance. Austin Reaves added 26 points and nine assists. The vibes should have been great.

The Lakers are without 21-time All-NBA superstar power forward LeBron James, 40, who has been grappling with a sciatica injury since the middle of the summer. It's unclear when the four-time league MVP might return to the hardwood, although it's possible he'll get reassessed and given a fresh timeline as soon as next week.

T he Los Angeles Lakers have an injury update regarding superstar Luka Doncic. The Slovenian could be seen grabbing at his groin several times towards the end of Tuesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors, as head coach JJ Redick revealed the latest.