The Los Angeles Lakers will need to hand the franchise keys to Lukadon Chic this offseason and add a star around him.
The Lakers in Los Angeles likely knew that the day was coming, but that doesn’t make it easier. Heading into the 40-year-old and 41 season, LeBron James is still a very talented player on both ends of the floor, but he can’t lead his team to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is, and the Lakers are expected to start building around him sooner than later.
Austin Reeves is set to opt out of the $14.8 million player options after next season, demanding about $30 million a year. The Lakers moving forward can keep James as their second choice, but can build around Don Sic and Reeve.
With Dorian Finney Smith, Jordan Goodwin, and the free agent-like wings they can add (they’re the Lakers after all), Los Angeles only needs the rim running center.
They have the assets to land one of the best in the league.
Shortly after trading with Don Sic last season, the Lakers began building around him. The Dallas Mavericks gave the blueprint for success. Combine him with another ball handler, some shooting games, Rob’s threat.
Los Angeles agreed to trade with the Charlotte Hornets and sent out picks from Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, Pixwap and center Mark Williams, but physically failed and trade reversed.
The Lakers are very clearly exhausting Knecht and in a troublesome locker room situation to avoid, he is expected to become a source asset in any move.
If the Lakers opened up a little more financial resources, they should be able to land the established stars under the next four seasons of contract.
Complete mock trade details
- Lakers receive: Bam Adebayo
- Heat Receiver: Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Louis Hachimura, 2028 First Round Pick Swap, 2030 First Round Pick Swap, 2031 First Round Pick
The Lakers should be able to afford a long-term trio of Reelive, Don Sic and Adebayo. Budget works like the free agent fascinated by performing in Goodwin, Finney Smith and Hollywood can round out the roster.
The Miami Heat under Pat Riley is not keen to rebuild. Knecht and the three picks are a very future-driven package, but the second year wing is already 24 years old and should be ready to take on a bigger load.
Rookie Keruel Ware has erupted as a legal starting center this season. He and Adebayo can share the frontcourt, but after losing Jimmy Butler, the heat can make another big move to retool the weak Eastern Conference.
Miami boasts its 20th pick, and in a mock draft by ESPN, they choose point guard nolan troll. He fits in the backcourt, sharing minutes with Terry Roger and Tyler Hero, and Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson and Davion Mitchell are not in a bad rotation.
That roster probably won’t compete in the finals, but they will certainly make a postseason in the weak East, and Riley can hope that Eric Sprustra and “Thermal Culture” can tear the run once more again in preparation for the future.