LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James and Luka Doncic are entering their first full season together. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar duo teamed up midway through the season when the Lakers traded for Doncic, sending Anthony Davis in the opposite direction.
During a recent episode of the “Off Guard” podcast, former NBA guard Austin Rivers shared his thoughts on the James and Doncic partnership.
“I don’t like the fit with him and Luka,” Rivers said. “LeBron still wants this to be his show. Luka’s just too good for not to be his show. It worked with Kyrie. Kyrie accepted Luka as the best player. He was the Batman to his Robin. Who is the Robin in this situation? Now, LeBron is a strategic mastermind and will come out and say that ‘I am.'”
According to Cleaning The Glass, the Lakers were +3.4 points per 100 possessions better with James and Doncic on the floor. However, their defense was certainly a cause for concern. When James and Doncic were on the court together, JJ Redick’s team gave up 117 points per 100 possessions. Fortunately, the average was 120.3 points scored.
Nevertheless, the Lakers won’t have to worry about the partnership from a long-term perspective. James will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. There’s no guarantee the Lakers will look to re-sign him once that happens. Furthermore, James could decide to retire.
As such, Redick needs to figure out how to make a pairing of James and Doncic work, without worrying about a long-term game plan.
Lakers Building Around Doncic AND LeBron
While there’s a chance James could leave the Lakers next summer, there’s also a chance he could stick around for another year or two. It’s for that reason that Rob Pelinka has spent this summer adding talent that complements both James and Doncic’s current skill sets.
Speaking to reporters during a news conference in Poland, Rob Pelinka made it clear that the Lakers are building around both James and Doncic.
“Absolutely, the title next year is our plan,” Pelinka said. “With Dončić and LeBron, we have two top players. Now we want to build a real team around them…It was good to see new basketball players coming to training,” Pelinka said. “Deandre Ayton is a great reinforcement and such a center will be key for Luka’s passes. Marcus Smart will contribute on defense. But first, we want Luka to focus completely on this tournament with Slovenia. Then he can focus on the Lakers again.”
There’s no denying that Doncic is the new face of the Lakers organization. However, finding ways to continue getting the best out of James, who continues to thrive despite his age, is also beneficial to the Lakers’ chances of winning a championship.
Lakers’ LeBron James Urged to Retire
During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Anthony jokingly suggested that James should consider retirement after the upcoming season.
“He’s still going, it’s unbelievable, man,” Anthony said. “That’s my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully, to get his ass up out of there and come on over this side (smiles). Enough is enough. Give it a break.”
The end of James’ career is undoubtedly in sight. However, he may still be in the league for another two or three years. After all, even at his current age, he’s still producing at an elite level. And that is why other teams around the league will likely show interest if he becomes a free agent next summer.