Luka Dončić has finally found his footing in the Crypto.com Arena after being traded to the Lakers in one of the biggest trades in NBA history.
The 26-year-old Slovenian superstar has averaged 22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game during the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak. His best all-around performance came against the Dallas Mavericks in an emotional televised affair, which the Lakers won 107-99.
Dončić finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks, and three steals against his former team. It was his fourth triple-double of the season, and he could’ve had 30+ points if his shot had fallen.
It was an excellent win for the 17-time champions, who are currently 40-22 as the No.2 seed in the Western Conference. Morale is at an all-time high in LA as they prepare for the Playoffs this spring, but the true excitement lies in the future. Laker fans are getting a glimpse into what the ‘Luka Lakers’ will look like.
Of course, LeBron James is still a very prominent part of the team, but trading Anthony Davis for Dončić was to give the franchise a fresh start in the post-LeBron era. He has produced unprecedented numbers for a 40-year-old in the NBA, but his retirement is undoubtedly on the horizon.
The following two years will serve two purposes. The first is to compete for a championship with Luka in his prime and LeBron in his twilight years. The second is James grooming Dončić to lead the legendary franchise when it’s finally time to call it a career.
LeBron’s Passing Of The Torch
Their friendship is evident in their on-court interactions, and the relationship will benefit Dončić in multiple ways.
Most importantly, James teaches him things he would’ve never learned in Dallas. During his seven-year tenure leading the Mavericks, Dončić was the number one option and most dominant voice in the locker room. Now, he can learn from arguably the greatest player of all time, someone he called his ‘idol’ during his rookie season.
During a recent post-game scrum, James commented on what it’s like to play with another world-class player like Dončić.
“I’m a natural-born wide receiver, and he is a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfect,” said James. “I’ve been running the floor and running lanes pretty much my whole life. He’s been throwing perfect passes pretty much his whole life, so it’s not hard to get in a rhythm when it comes to that, you know? It’s all about eye contact, him being the great quarterback that he is, and me being a recipient of it.”
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has proven himself thus far, but the most crucial phase of the Dončić era has yet to begin. With free agency four months away, Pelinka is surely already thinking about which piece(s) to surround Dončić with for the future. A combination of veterans and young talent would be a perfect supporting cast for Dončić, but the Lakers face obstacles in building the ideal core.
Salary Cap Woes
According to Spotrac.com, the Lakers have the fourth-highest total cap space allocations with $200 million and a roster payroll of $140 million.
Since their cap space is sitting at $59 million, Pelinka has the opportunity to sign a starting-caliber center, and Clint Capela has emerged as a potential candidate on the cheaper side. He is in the final season of his two-year, $45 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer after no reports of another deal with the Hawks.
He has undoubtedly regressed but is still averaging close to a double-double with 9 points & 8.6 rebounds per game. His age of 30 also makes him a prime candidate compared to other UFA centers like Brook Lopez, who turns 37 years old on April 1st. Capela also has valuable playoff experience and will be in his 11th NBA season next year, adding another solidified veteran to the locker room.
Another option is Myles Turner, who will hit free agency this summer. On paper, he looks like the perfect fit for Los Angeles. A 28-year old rim protector who can shoot the three will be a coveted assett though, and the Lakers may not be able to pay him.
Outside of free agency, the Lakers may look to acquire their future center via trade. It looked like they had already done so by grabbing Mark Williams at the trade deadline, only to send him back to Charlotte after a controversial failed physical. Between Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Max Kleber, and Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers have more than enough salary to aggregate for someone like Nic Claxton, who is set to make $25 million next season.
Maximizing LA’s Championship Window
Pelinka must be very strategic to maximize the potential of the Luka Lakers.
The front office is unlikely to utilize the draft because they’re in win-now mode and have quickly discovered their winning formula. They also hit big on Dalton Knecht, who provides rotation talent on a cheap deal. Their objective for the next two years is to go all in for their 18th title while James is still on the roster, but Dončić will be the team’s focal point moving forward.
This particular core must complement both superstars, and their similar play styles will make the process easier for the front office. It will require complementary pieces in or approaching their primes. The 3&D formula with a defensive big has always worked around LeBron, and Luka is no different. Someone like 28-year-old Bruce Brown Jr. would be a perfect addition to the Lakers’ bench.
Brown’s championship pedigree and playstyle make him extremely valuable. He is currently averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Pelicans, with one year remaining on his contract. The Raptors signed him for $45 million over two years before trading Brown, and Pelinka could sign him for even cheaper. Even though his counting stats regressed compared to his tenure with the Denver Nuggets, he is a good, physical defender when healthy and can score at all three levels.
The Redick System
Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick’s system consists of high-volume 3-point shooting and demands for perimeter defense.
Another possible option is Malcolm Brogdon of the Washington Wizards, who fits the Redick bill. The former 2017 Rookie of the Year is a career 39% three-point shooter and can hold is own on defense. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract similar to Bruce Brown’s. Signing either would give the Lakers one of the better second units in the league.
If you’re sensing a theme here, you’d be correct. It’s all about value contracts for guys that fall in the 26-32 age range. They don’t need to be flashy. Rather, it’s the physical, dependable, Swiss-army-knife guys that can knock down a corner three who will maximize Luka’s championship window.
Capela, Brogdon, and Brown all match Dončić’s timeline. Luka just turned 26 on February 28th and is approaching his physical prime after seven years of superstar performances. His ability to make his teammates better has improved, along with his leadership skills, and by age 30, he will be at his absolute peak. As a generational talent, he will maintain the Lakers’ standard as the franchise leader and strive to complete his ultimate goal of winning multiple NBA championships, continuing the Lakers tradition for years to come.
It’s up to Rob and the gang to make sure he’s given the opportunity to do so.
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