### ESPN Drops Early Power Rankings Bombshell: Lakers Only No. 10 Despite Luka’s Superstar Leap, Ageless LeBron, and Major Offseason Overhaul
**November 20, 2025** – LOS ANGELES – The disrespect is real.
ESPN unveiled its first official NBA Power Rankings of the 2025-26 season Wednesday morning, and despite a blockbuster Luka Dončić trade, an ageless LeBron James, a visibly transformed Slovenian superstar, and splashy additions of Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers checked in at a shocking No. 10 – behind teams like Orlando, Indiana, and even the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers.
The internet exploded immediately.
“Lakers at 10 is criminal,” one viral post read alongside 1.2 million views. “Luka averaging 32-9-9, LeBron looking 32 again, Ayton dominating the glass, and Smart locking up guards… but sure, rank the Magic ahead of us.”
Even Luka himself quote-tweeted ESPN’s graphic with a single raised-eyebrow emoji before deleting it 11 minutes later – long enough for screenshots to flood timelines.
#### The Rankings Breakdown (Top 12)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Boston Celtics
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. New York Knicks
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Orlando Magic
8. Indiana Pacers
9. Philadelphia 76ers
10. **Los Angeles Lakers**
11. Milwaukee Bucks
12. Phoenix Suns
ESPN’s panel cited “early inconsistency” (the Lakers sit 6-6), a rash of frontcourt injuries (Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura currently out), and “questions about defensive cohesion” as reasons for the surprisingly low placement. Tim Bontemps wrote: “Until we see this group at full health for a sustained stretch, it’s hard to anoint them top-5. The pieces are elite, but the fit is still being proven.”
Lakers Twitter disagreed – loudly.
#### Luka Dončić Is Having the Transformation of His Career
Forget the rankings. The real story in L.A. is Luka Dončić’s metamorphosis.
The 26-year-old arrived in the February 2025 blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and three first-round picks to Dallas looking leaner, springier, and downright scary. After spending the entire offseason in Serbia with a private training staff (including a rumored two-week altitude camp in the Alps), Dončić reported to training camp at 228 pounds – reportedly his lightest weight since his rookie year.
The results are undeniable.
Through 12 games:
– 31.8 points (2nd in NBA)
– 9.2 assists (4th)
– 8.1 rebounds
– 58.1% true shooting
– Defensive rating: 108.4 (career best by a mile)
He’s attacking the rim with a burst never seen in Dallas, finishing through contact like a freight train, and – most shockingly – moving his feet on the perimeter like a legitimate plus defender. Opponents are shooting just 41.2% when Dončić is the primary defender, a staggering improvement from last year’s 48.7%.
“Luka came in on a mission,” LeBron said after Tuesday’s loss to Orlando. “He’s in the best shape of his life, and it shows every single night.”
Clips of Dončić stripping Paolo Banchero, staying in front of Jalen Suggs, and even switching onto bigs have become nightly highlights. Marcus Smart, the defensive anchor brought in via sign-and-trade from Memphis, has taken the slimmer Luka under his wing.
“People used to hunt him,” Smart told reporters. “Now? Good luck. He’s moving like a damn wing out there.”
#### LeBron James Is Defying Father Time – Again
At 40 years and 325 days old, LeBron James is averaging 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists on 51/40/88 shooting splits. Yes, you read that right – 40% from three on 6.2 attempts per game.
He’s posterizing 22-year-olds, throwing no-look dimes in transition, and still logging 35+ minutes on back-to-backs. After a groin tweak sidelined him for the last two games, LeBron posted an Instagram workout video Tuesday with the caption “See you soon 🔜” that sent Lakers Nation into a frenzy.
“Bron looks like 2018 Bron right now,” Austin Reaves said. “It’s insane.”
#### The New Pieces Are Clicking – When Healthy
Deandre Ayton, acquired in a separate three-team deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to Portland, has been exactly what the Lakers needed: a 20-12 threat who protects the rim and spaces vertically. In the nine games he’s played alongside Luka and LeBron, the Lakers are +18.4 per 100 possessions.
Marcus Smart’s impact goes beyond stats. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has brought a nastiness the Lakers lacked last season, barking at officials, diving for loose balls, and mentoring the young backcourt.
Even role players like Dalton Knecht (19.1 PPG off the bench) and Cam Reddish (revived as a 3-and-D wing) have exceeded expectations.
#### So Why Only No. 10?
The answer, for now, is health and sample size.
With LeBron (groin), Hayes (ankle), and Hachimura (calf) all sidelined, the Lakers have been forced into small-ball lineups that get punished inside. They rank 27th in opponent points in the paint over the last five games and have dropped three of four.
But the underlying metrics are championship-level. When Luka, LeBron, and Ayton share the floor (198 minutes), the Lakers have a +22.1 net rating – best of any trio in the league. Their offensive rating in those minutes? A ridiculous 128.6.
“Rank us 30th if you want,” Smart said after practice Wednesday, smirking. “We know what we got in that locker room. Health is the only thing stopping us.”
Lakers fans have already turned the slight into fuel. “No. 10 in November? Cool. We’ll see y’all in June,” has become the rallying cry.
LeBron returns Friday against Denver. Hayes and Hachimura are targeting next week.
When this roster is whole – with a chiseled Luka Dončić playing the best basketball of his life, a 40-year-old LeBron turning back the clock, Ayton owning the paint, and Smart bringing the grit – No. 10 will feel like ancient history.
The Lakers aren’t panicking about a November power ranking.
They’re just getting started.
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