The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a big win Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, and now the trade deadline becomes the front office’s main focus. For Luka Dončić, the priority is competing for a championship right now, and the organization will do its best to accommodate that.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
With Deandre Ayton’s recent struggles and character concerns resurfacing, there is growing belief that he should be traded.
“The Lakers must trade Ayton and their expiring contracts for a center upgrade. DA came to LA to be a starter and won’t be happy coming off the bench. He must go if they can find an upgrade. It is easier said than done, as the Lakers only have one tradeable first-round draft pick,” Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.
James Harden was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and with that move, big man Jarrett Allen has reportedly landed on the trade block. Allen would be an ideal target alongside Dončić.
“Allen averages 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game this season. He led the league in field goal percentage last year and remains an elite finisher. The 6’9 big man would offer Los Angeles a boost on both ends of the floor and make them a serious threat to win it all,” Watts wrote.
LeBron James and Dončić both have championship aspirations, and Allen’s already solid numbers could become even better in this lineup. A move like this would inject excitement into both the fanbase and the organization.
This is the type of breakthrough move the Lakers have been waiting on since acquiring Dončić. Allen to Los Angeles would make sense for many reasons, especially if they can find a way to keep him and Dončić together long term.