Luka and LeBron as ASG teammates (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Life After LeBron
The league’s all time leading scorer just turned 40 this past December, he’s not playing like it but how much longer can he go? At the age of 40 a player of his caliber should not still be in the driver’s seat. When the Lakers brought in Anthony Davis in, there were not only immediate championship aspirations but the hope that Davis would take the torch from LeBron. Davis was set to be at the forefront of the organization for years to come.
Unfortunately injuries, bad playoff losses, and overall disappointment following the 2020 championship run may have lead Lakers brass to want to make a change. Davis turns 32 next month whereas Dončić will be 26 later this month.
The NBA is a business at the end of day and Luka in LA is what’s best for business. He has the star power to sell merch, tickets, and most importantly make Los Angeles an even more desirable destination. Players in the league will flock to play with Luka as we move out of the LeBron-LA era.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is hoping the transition will be seamless, possibly involving James winning his second ring with the franchise.
Is It Winning Time Right Now?
After a trade goes through the question will immediately be, does the move make them a contender? Losing Anthony Davis does leave the Lakers without a true big man, defensive presence, and puts them in a predicament with more liabilities than they already have. Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively III were not involved in this deal so some feel the Lakers are worse off now.
A team with Luka Dončić and LeBron James is worse off!? That’s such a head scratching thought to even have. Two of the best scoring facilitators in the league are now on the same roster, everyone should be very afraid. Shooters like Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and Luka’s former teammate Dorian Finney Smith will benefit greatly for what’s coming.
That first lob from Luka to LeBron will cause a seismic shift inside the Crptyto Arena. This Lakers team may struggle defensively but the scoring will be there. The NBA should take notice of how truly impactful this trade will be. Luka Dončić being traded to the Lakers will go down as the single most significant trade in sports history. This is the greatest trade of all time.