The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to hand the keys to the franchise to Luka Doncic this offseason and need to add stars around him.
The Los Angeles Lakers likely knew this day would come, although that doesn’t make it any easier. Heading into his age 40 and 41 season, LeBron James is still a very talented player on both ends of the floor, although he is not capable of leading a team to the NBA Finals.
Luka Doncic, on the other hand, is, and the Lakers are expected to start building around him sooner rather than later.
Austin Reaves is expected to opt out of his $14.8 million player option after next season and demand roughly $30 million a year, which is pretty reasonable for a player of his caliber. Moving forward, the Lakers can keep James as a second option but build around Doncic and Reaves.
With wings like Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Goodwin, and whichever free agents they can add (they are the Lakers, after all), Los Angeles only needs a rim-running center.
They have the assets to land one of the best ones in the league.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesMock trade with Heat lands Lakers Bam Adebayo
Immediately after trading for Doncic last season, the Lakers got started on building around him. The Dallas Mavericks gave the blueprint for success: pair him with another ball handler, some shooters, and a lob threat.
Los Angeles agreed to a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, sending Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a pick swap, and a pick for center Mark Williams, although he failed a physical, and the trade was reversed.
The Lakers very clearly made Knecht expendable, and with an awkward locker room situation to avoid, he is expected to be an outgoing asset in any move.
If the Lakers open the coffers a bit more, they should be able to land an established star under contract for the next four seasons.
Full Mock Trade Details
Lakers receive: Bam AdebayoHeat receive: Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui 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 Reaves, Doncic, and Adebayo, and budget pieces like Goodwin, Finney-Smith, and free agents enticed by playing in Hollywood can round out the roster.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesMiami Heat rebuild, show faith in rookie
The Miami Heat, under Pat Riley, are not eager to rebuild. While Knecht and three picks are a very future-driven package, the second-year wing is already 24 years old and should be ready to shoulder a bigger load.
Rookie Kel’el Ware broke out as a legitimate starting center this season, and while he and Adebayo can share the frontcourt, in an effort to re-tool in a weak Eastern Conference after losing Jimmy Butler, the Heat could make another big move.
Miami boasts the 20th pick, and in a mock draft by ESPN, they select point guard Nolan Traore. He could fit into the backcourt, sharing minutes with Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro, and Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, and Davion Mitchell are not a bad rotation.
While that roster likely won’t compete for the Finals, they will certainly make the postseason in the weak East, and Riley can hope Erik Spoelstra and “Heat Culture” can rip off an unlikely run once again while preparing for the future.