For fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, watching their beloved team has sometimes felt like riding a roller coaster—only lately, the ride has been stuck in a frustrating loop. After the triumphant 2020 NBA Championship win, there were high hopes the Lakers would continue to contend for titles. Instead, it’s been a bumpy couple of seasons, filled with roster changes, underwhelming performances, injuries, and confusion about which direction the team is heading.

But is it really all downhill for the Lakers? Or are there glimpses of a brighter future on the horizon? Let's break it down—both the good, the bad, and those question marks hovering over the franchise like clouds above the Hollywood Hills.

The Promising Players

Not everything is doom and gloom in Laker Land. Despite ongoing struggles, there are a few players who’ve stepped up and shown why they might be the key to reviving this team.

Anthony Davis

Let's start with the big guy, AD. Some fans might roll their eyes at that line since “when healthy” is becoming a tired qualifier for Davis, but there's no denying his talent. When he’s on the court and at full strength, he's still one of the league’s most dominant two-way players. Games where he drops 30+ points, grabs 15 rebounds, or swats away shots like he’s guarding a fortress serve as a reminder of what he can do.

This season, Davis has shown flashes of being that MVP-caliber player he was supposed to be—particularly on defense, where he anchors the paint like few can. If the Lakers want to climb back to contention, keeping Davis healthy might be Priority No. 1. And hey, this time around, they’re reportedly taking extra precautions with his workload. Could this be the year he shakes the “fragile” narrative once and for all?

Austin Reaves – Undrafted Gem

If there’s one bright spot Lakers fans can’t stop talking about, it’s Austin Reaves. After going undrafted and joining the team as a relative unknown, Reaves has quickly cemented himself as a fan favorite. His gritty play, basketball IQ, and ability to step up during key moments earned him the nickname “Hillbilly Kobe” (and yes, it’s said lovingly).

Reaves showcased his potential last season, often being the spark plug the team needed during tough stretches, and he’s only getting better. A threat from beyond the arc, solid on defense, and never afraid to get physical—he’s the kind of guy every contender needs coming off the bench (or even in the starting lineup, as some predict). The Lakers might still be figuring things out, but Reaves feels like a long-term piece worth building around.

Rui Hachimura – A Midseason Revelation

Acquired in a midseason trade last year, Rui Hachimura had one job—add depth. What he did instead was exceed expectations. During the Lakers’ playoff run, Rui showed he could be more than just a role player, stepping up with clutch shooting and active defense when the lights were the brightest.

While he’s not a superstar, Hachimura is exactly the kind of young talent who fits into a championship-contending roster. With his mix of physicality and shooting touch, he could develop into a consistent starter and a big contributor if given the chance.

Players Falling Short

Of course, for every bright spot, there’s a shadow. The Lakers still boast big contracts and big expectations, but not every player on the roster has managed to live up to the hype.

LeBron James – Facing Father Time

Yes, it feels sacrilegious to criticize LeBron James, but even the King cannot hold back the hands of time forever. At age 38, LeBron continues to defy expectations of what a "washed" player should look like. He's still a walking 25-7-7 stat line and remains the leader of the team. That being said, he’s human—finally.

We’ve seen signs that LeBron can’t carry a team single-handedly anymore. The heavy minutes take a toll, nagging injuries have become a concern, and he’s simply no longer able to orchestrate the game with the same ease he did in his prime. That’s not to say LeBron is underperforming (he's still incredible), but the Lakers’ continued dependence on him is concerning. The real question is whether the rest of the roster can ease the burden on his aging shoulders.

D'Angelo Russell – Hot and Cold

On paper, D’Angelo Russell feels like a perfect fit for the Lakers—a floor-spacer who can create his own shot and set up his teammates. Unfortunately, the version of Russell that shows up depends on the day.

At his best, he offers dynamic scoring, knocking down threes and taking some pressure off LeBron and AD. But when the shots aren’t falling, his weaknesses—like subpar defense and decision-making—become glaring. Lakers fans are hoping he finds the consistency to become not just a contributor, but a difference-maker.

Mo Bamba – The Big Disappointment

When the Lakers acquired Mo Bamba, it was supposed to add size and shot-blocking off the bench. But so far, his contributions have been minimal. Whether it’s due to limited playing time, injuries, or simply being out of rhythm, Bamba hasn’t done much to justify his spot. While there’s still a chance he finds his groove, he feels more like a question mark than an answer.

Team Dynamics – Still Figuring It Out

If there’s one word to describe the Lakers’ team dynamics over the last couple of years, it’s “uncertain.” The roster turnover has been staggering, with new faces in and out almost every season. While that approach worked in 2020, it’s clear the same formula hasn’t worked since.

The biggest ongoing issue is identity. Are the Lakers still a defense-first team led by Davis? Are they going all-in around LeBron for one last title run? Or are they starting to shift into a new era with younger guys like Reaves and Hachimura? A lack of clarity on how the pieces fit together has led to disjointed play.

On the bright side, coach Darvin Ham seems to be earning respect in the locker room and implementing a more disciplined approach. If he’s given time and support, he might be able to bring some much-needed stability to the team.

What the Future Holds

Is it still downhill for the Lakers? That depends on your perspective. While they haven’t looked like contenders in the last couple of seasons, they’re not exactly starting from scratch, either.

Short-Term Outlook

If LeBron and AD can stay healthy (a big “if”), this team can still win games and make a playoff push. The Western Conference remains highly competitive, but the Lakers’ experience and top-end talent give them a fighting chance. The question is whether they can get the supporting cast firing on all cylinders in time to make another deep run.

Long-Term Future

The good news is that there are some promising young pieces to build around. Reaves, Hachimura, and promising additions like Gabe Vincent provide hope that the post-LeBron era won’t be as bleak as feared. That said, much depends on AD returning to and maintaining his peak form—he’s supposed to be the guy who bridges the gap between eras for the Lakers, and all eyes are on how he performs over the next couple of seasons.

The road ahead for the Lakers isn’t without challenges, but it’s not all doom and gloom, either. True, they’re not the unstoppable force they were in 2020, but there’s still a spark of hope beneath the struggles. Basketball history tells us never to count the Lakers out too early—after all, this franchise has weathered rough patches before and always seems to find its way back to glory.

The real question isn’t whether it’s downhill for the Lakers; it’s whether they have the tools to climb back up. And with guys like AD and Reaves in the mix, the climb might be steeper than they’d like—but it’s not impossible.