Lakers enter new season with new look roster, face Warriors in opener

LOS ANGELES (KYMA) - The Los Angeles Lakers enter the new season with a new roster and plenty of questions to answer after several significant departures.

LeBron James headlines the list of players no longer with the team, alongside Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes.

The Lakers also parted ways with former first-round pick Dalton Knecht after just two seasons with the franchise.

Despite the roster turnover, Los Angeles will continue to rely on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to lead the offense.

In the frontcourt, former Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is expected to play a key role. After missing most of last season, Kessler brings rim protection and rebounding to a Lakers team that has lost Ayton and Hayes.

With a new-look roster and questions surrounding how the pieces will fit together, the Lakers open their season against the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. local time Wednesday.