LeBron James loses top-dog status to Luka Doncic as Lakers shift to prioritize new superstar’s needs
Los Angeles Lakers tried to bring in a center as per Luka Doncic's needs, shunning the demands of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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Luka Doncic now holds the power with Los Angeles Lakers not LeBron James
The world is still trying to process the fact that the Dallas Mavericks traded away franchise cornerstone in Luka Doncic. Now as he has made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, it brings about a certain change in the dynamic of the team as leading superstar LeBron James heads towards retirement.
James has acknowledged in the past that his time is winding down and the Lakers would make moves for their future. But he did not expect that to happen so soon as GM Rob Pelinka pulled off the move of the century when he landed a 25-year-old superstar with at least a decade of prime basketball left.
In the immediate aftermath, the Los Angeles Lakers tried to trade for a young center to pair with Luka Doncic. Their trade with the Charlotte Hornets was rescinded. However, they showed that they were willing to give up two 1st round picks.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis had asked for such a move in the past. However, the Lakers pulling it off now indicated that there was a shift in the guard. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin spoke with sources and revealed this.
What is clear is that Doncic will have a say. And it wasn’t lost on James’ camp, sources said, that Pelinka prioritized Doncic’s involvement upon his arrival and immediately engaged in the Williams trade that he’d asked for, when James had for years wanted the team to trade its picks to improve its roster.
Dave McMenamin wrote
This indicates the team has shown that they are prioritizing their new superstar’s needs. It also shows that the Lakers were not willing to give up a lot to satisfy an aging LeBron James and an oft-injured Anthony Davis.
Luka Doncic and Lakers will need big man Jaxson Hayes to step up
The article by Dave McMenamin highlights the fact that despite having Jaxson Hayes on the roster, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis had always asked for an elite big. Now that the Mark Williams trade has been rescinded, they are now stuck with thrusting Hayes into the starting lineup.
The Los Angeles Lakers do not have a proper player at the power forward position. Therefore, chances are that the 40-year-old James would return to that role. But then, they will have to bring in the 24-year-old center to shore up their interior.
Their other center, Christian Wood is still nursing an injury and two-way contract players Christian Koloko and Trey Jamison aren’t at Hayes’ level. This could however be a blessing in disguise. If the former Texas center can elevate his game, the Lakers will invariably get a big amongst their ranks.
Moreover, he is also owed just $2.4 million this season. Even if he plays well, the franchise could give him an inexpensive short-term extension to see how he progresses. If he does not, they can explore the possibilities of trading for another center next season.
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Joseph Varghese
(2455 Articles Published)