Both the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers saw a dramatic shift in their seasons after they acquired superstar-esque talent before the 2025 trade deadline.
Now, with the 2024-25 campaign for both teams coming to an end, it may seem like the Purple and Gold, with a five-time All-NBA First Team selectee in Luka Doncic, who’s still just 26, are better positioned for future success than an aging Dubs team. However, veteran NBA analyst Colin Cowherd sees things differently.
Cowherd on why the Warriors are in a better spot than the Lakers
Speaking on his podcast, the 61-year-old analyst argued that the Warriors are in a better place going forward, primarily because of their leadership. Put simply, according to Cowherd, Golden State has the edge with a battle-tested, championship-winning coach in Steve Kerr, especially when compared to the inexperienced JJ Redick at the helm for the Lakers.
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Colin also emphasized how the 2022 NBA champs are more flexible in improving their roster, as they are willing to part ways with Jonathan Kuminga, a rising star who could possibly blossom with a No. 1 star on a less star-studded team. So, trading him could bring in quality returns. In contrast, the Lakers have no interest in trading away their biggest young asset in Austin Reaves, which could ultimately restrict their ability to make the necessary upgrades around Doncic.
“I don’t think the Lakers are in this good position. They don’t have Steve Kerr. I don’t think they want to part ways with Austin Reaves, where the Warriors absolutely want to part ways with Kuminga. So, they’ll sign and trade him,” Cowherd said. “Both Steph and Jimmy Butler are absolute workaholics and grinders. LeBron is older than Steph.”
The L.A. Lakers are in a stronger position
While Cowherd is entitled to his viewpoint, the Lakers might not need to trade away Reaves at all. “Hillbilly Kobe” is a reliable two-way guard who could be the perfect “Robin” to Luka’s “Batman” in the future when LeBron James retires.
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Furthermore, Reaves plays selflessly, delivers in clutch moments and brings much-needed composure and toughness. Add LeBron’s on-court IQ to the mix, and the Lakers still have an X-factor capable of making game-changing plays, even when Luka isn’t at his best.
So, for the Lakers to fill in their voids of protecting the rim and having a quality pick-and-lob threat, they might not even need to look toward their core pieces. Trading away role players like Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, along with some draft selections could help them in attaining an experienced traditional center. After all, they traded for one in the Charlotte Hornets’ Mark Williams this season, before a failed physical stopped that transaction from going through.
On the other hand, the Warriors are stuck with the Jimmy Butler experiment, being entitled to pay him over $120 million over the next two seasons; Jimmy has shown with previous teams he tends to lose his joy for playing basketball quickly, and he’s 35.
So, for them to help Draymond Green on the defensive end and relieve the burden of carrying the offensive load off Stephen Curry, they might also need to trade away quality young players in Brandin Podziemski to add quality depth to their roster.