The Los Angeles Lakers are building for the future around Luka Doncic, and there is no hiding that. LeBron James is nearing the end of his career, and the Lakers have taken time to shape the roster around their new star. The former Dallas superstar wants to win in Los Angeles—and he wants to do it now.
“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,” Jasmyn Wimbish of CBS Sports wrote.
James has been battling injuries throughout the season, especially as of late. It appears he will be out for at least a few more games.
“King James hasn’t played since March 5, and the Lakers are ruling him out with a hip contusion and left foot arthritis on the official injury report. Both injuries are problematic for a 41-year-old superstar with LeBron’s mileage. Fans should not expect to see him on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, and Redick’s comments likely mean he will miss multiple more games,” Tyler Watts of Lake Show Life wrote.
In his absence, the Lakers’ defense has been stellar. One name that has stood out is Marcus Smart. Based on his recent performances, it is becoming clear the Lakers may need to prioritize keeping him long-term.
“No one expected Smart to abruptly turn into the version of himself that was the Defensive Player of the Year with the Boston Celtics. The Lakers wanted a reliable veteran who stayed relatively healthy and managed to keep himself on the court. That last part is very important,” Svyatoslav Rovenchuk of Lake Show Life wrote. “Smart's contract signed with the Lakers was for two years, $10.5 million. The second of those years will be a player option. Should the decision be made to forego that guaranteed money and seek out a new payday, this could very well be someone who shoots up the priority list quickly in the summer.”
Smart has been huge for the Lakers this season, playing at a high level when healthy. With the playoffs quickly approaching, having him available could pay major dividends.
The Lakers are in a strong position with the veteran guard, who appears to be enjoying his time in Los Angeles. Smart has been excellent defensively while contributing offensively when needed, making his contract look like a steal for the Lakers.