The blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas sent shockwaves through the NBA. While the Mavericks sacrificed their Finals leader to strengthen their defense, the Lakers managed to secure their next generational superstar—continuing their legacy from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James to now Doncic.
Los Angeles clearly came out ahead in this deal. At just 25 years old, Doncic ensures the Lakers remain competitive even after James eventually retires. In the short term, pairing two of the league’s best talents instantly boosts their title chances.
Both Doncic and James are elite playmakers who use their size to create mismatches, making them incredibly tough to guard. While they both thrive with the ball in their hands, their high basketball IQ and ability to space the floor should help them adjust offensively.
Robert Williams III Is a Natural Fit for the Lakers’ New-Look Roster
The bigger concern, however, is defense—one of the key reasons Mavericks GM Nico Harrison pulled the trigger on this trade.
Before the deal, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer linked Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas and Portland’s Robert Williams III as potential Lakers trade targets. Even before Davis was moved, Williams seemed like a strong fit, but now, his addition feels almost essential, as the Lakers have lost their Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Head coach JJ Redick has several lineup options, but one possibility includes Doncic, Austin Reaves, James, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jaxson Hayes. While Hayes is a solid athlete, he remains the clear weak spot in that starting five.
The Lakers’ identity once revolved around length, but now their frontcourt is undersized, which could be a major issue in the playoffs. Western Conference rivals have dominant bigs—Memphis boasts depth at center, Oklahoma City can pair Chet Holmgren with Isaiah Hartenstein, and Denver still has Nikola Jokić.
With the trade deadline approaching, it’s clear the Lakers need to make another move to shore up their defense.
