The massive trade that brought the Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic on Feb. 1 seemed to reopen their championship window and restore their mystique. Doncic is the type of generational superstar who can not only be the face of the franchise for the next decade but also bring it multiple NBA championships.
He had made LeBron James the second scoring option for L.A., which will help James remain fresh moving forward and possibly even extend his career a bit.
The Lakers were thought to have a shot at getting to the NBA Finals when this year's playoffs started. But instead, they lost in five games in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and their weaknesses were exposed.
They could end up plugging those weaknesses this summer, but for now, they have the appearance of a thin and vulnerable squad. It is just one reason former Lakers wing Danny Green, who won it all with L.A. in 2020, doesn't think James and Doncic will win a ring together.
"I think they're explosive offensively," Green said. "I think they lack a lot defensively. ... I don't know how many years he (James) has left longer, and it's think it's just really hard to win a championship when your best player is 40 years old."
"... Next year LeBron going to be 41….He can still average 30, 20 something but I just don't see them winning a championship with that formula right now."
Actually, James is no longer L.A.'s top option on offense thanks to the arrival of Doncic. Doncic has now taken the reins of its halfcourt offense, allowing James to play more off the ball, and it has taken plenty of pressure off the 40-year-old James.
Right now, the Lakers need a starting-caliber center and better guard and wing depth. Addressing those needs this summer should result in a more positive outlook as far as their chances of winning it all once next season begins.
