The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a pivotal year for the organization as they strive to become competitive again. LA has made the playoffs the last couple of seasons, but they haven’t been as competitive as they would have liked.
The turning point for the organization happened a couple of Februarys ago. The Lakers made a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic.
“The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah," ESPN’s Shams Charania posted.
Doncic and LeBron James were quite the duo whenever they were both healthy for LA. However, there was some confusion because it was unclear what timeline the organization was on. During the summer, James let the Lakers know he would not be back, which opened up the Doncic era.
“LeBron James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA -- but it won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday," ESPN wrote.
LA has a lot of question marks surrounding them this season after making so many roster moves. The Athletic’s Dan Woike believes the biggest question mark is whether Doncic can get them over the hump.
“The Lakers prioritized building around Luka Dončić this summer, getting him his center in Walker Kessler, adding youth and athleticism and finding players who can shoot and attack closeouts. It’s a team built around a star, but are they (or is he) good enough to get them to the top of the West,” Woike wrote.
This will be something to monitor as the season goes on because all eyes are going to be on Doncic. He was able to help the Dallas Mavericks make the NBA Finals, but now he has to do so in LA.
There is going to be a good amount of pressure, but that is what happens when someone becomes the face of a franchise. Doncic will be headlined by Austin Reaves as he heads into his most anticipated season as a Laker, one filled with plenty of question marks.
