Lakers Reportedly Planning Mavericks-Style Roster Around Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves

NBA insider Chris Mannix reveals the Lakers' blueprint to build a team similar to the Mavericks' supporting cast around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning to build a roster around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves that is similar to the supporting cast the Dallas Mavericks had around Dončić in recent years. NBA insider Chris Mannix said the Lakers want to find players who fit the "3-and-D" mold of Dorian Finney-Smith and PJ Washington to complement their star backcourt.

Why it matters

The Lakers have struggled this season with defensive issues and inconsistent 3-point shooting. By building a roster around Dončić and Reaves in a similar fashion to the Mavericks' successful formula, the Lakers hope to address those weaknesses and put the team in a better position to contend.

The details

Mannix explained that the Lakers want to "reinvent this team around Luka Dončić" and "find someone that is maybe a better fit than Deandre Ayton to be that Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford" type of frontcourt player. The Lakers also want to add more "3-and-D type of players" to surround their star backcourt, similar to the Mavericks' supporting cast.

  • The Lakers currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 37-24 record.
  • The Lakers' next eight games will be against potential title contenders, making it a crucial stretch for their playoff hopes.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star guard who the Lakers reportedly want to build their roster around.

Austin Reaves

Another guard the Lakers see as a franchise cornerstone to pair with Dončić.

Deandre Ayton

A center who the Lakers may look to replace with a player better suited to their desired roster construction.

Dereck Lively

A player the Lakers may target to fill a similar role as the Mavericks' frontcourt players.

Daniel Gafford

Another player the Lakers may consider to fill a frontcourt role similar to the Mavericks' supporting cast.

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What they’re saying

“It's really about reinventing this team around Luka Dončić and building the kind of team that Dallas had in its last couple of years. That means finding someone that is maybe a better fit than Deandre Ayton to be that Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, hell, maybe it is Daniel Gafford, just find somebody that can fit into that role.”

— Chris Mannix, NBA Insider (Run It Back)

“Look out for more 3-and-D type of players who fit the Dorian Finney-Smith, PJ Washington type of mold. They just really want to make Dallas 2.0. I think they feel they can succeed with a backcourt of Luka and Austin Reaves.”

— Chris Mannix, NBA Insider (Run It Back)

What’s next

The Lakers' next eight games will be a crucial stretch for their playoff hopes, as they face potential title contenders.

The takeaway

By building a roster around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves similar to the Mavericks' successful supporting cast, the Lakers hope to address their defensive and 3-point shooting issues and put themselves in a better position to contend in the Western Conference playoff race.