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The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to prove that their minimal offseason moves will be enough to make some noise this season. The team is entering the end of the LeBron James era and the beginning of the Luka Dončić era. Even though James is nearing the end of his career, he still wants to compete for championships.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Dončić has also been vocal about winning now rather than waiting a few years to build a contender. He wants to return to the NBA Finals as soon as possible.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
With the season approaching, Dončić made it clear what the Lakers need to do to be successful ahead of their first game on Tuesday.
“I think we started a little bit slow, not being physical,” he said after the final preseason game. “I think when we start games being physical is when we’re at our best. So we need to be more physical for sure, getting the ball in the pick-and-rolls. So just be more physical.”
The Lakers will be without James for a stretch, so physicality will be crucial to gaining an edge early in the season. Dončić will be the focal point of the team to start the year.
With the Warriors looming, it will quickly become clear whether the team took Dončić’s message to heart.
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