The Los Angeles Lakers are aiming to build a "Dallas 2.0" roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by targeting defensive-minded, 3-and-D role players similar to those who helped the Dallas Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers believe they can thrive with a backcourt built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and their goal is clear: build a "Dallas 2.0" roster similar to the one Luka led to the NBA Finals.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic
MIN: 35.42
PTS: 32.37 (56.96%)
REB: 7.71
AS: 8.57
ST: 1.39
BL: 0.51
TO: 4.04
GM: 49
Speaking on Run It Back, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated explained the team's vision.
"It's really about reinventing this team around Luka Doncic and building the kind of team that Dallas had in its last couple of years," Mannix said on the Run It Back show. "That means finding someone that's maybe a better fit than Deandre Ayton – to be that Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford. Just find somebody who can fit into that role.
"Look out for more 3-and-D type of players that fit the Dorian Finney-Smith, P. J. Washington type of mold," he added. "They just really want to make Dallas 2.0. I think they feel they can succeed with a backcourt of Luka and Austin Reaves, even though there are defensive challenges there.
"They believe they can succeed with those two guys if they get the right type of players in that frontcourt. So, I think it's going to be all about finding the Dallas versions of those players that I mentioned this offseason."
Credit AP - Scanpix
Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics in five games.
That Mavericks team was built around strong complementary pieces, including Gafford, Lively, Derrick Jones Jr., Washington, Josh Green, Dante Exum, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Currently sixth in the Western Conference at 37-24, the Lakers lack athleticism and defensive presence – areas the front office needed to address before the February 5 trade deadline. However, their only addition was sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
With a limited trade market for wings and few assets to offer, the Lakers' bigger roster transformation may have to wait until the offseason.
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