3 Lakers who stand to benefit the most from the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade

Luka Doncic has arrived! Who should benefit from his presence?

Nov 18, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and guard Luka Doncic (77) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and guard Luka Doncic (77) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have completed one of the most unlikely trades in NBA history. More importantly, Los Angeles has officially commenced a 180-degree turn from the vision that had it nine games above .500 in 2024-25.

Only time will tell what that ultimately entails, but there are several players on the current roster who stand to benefit from the shift in priorities.

Anthony Davis is a world-class talent who has masked many of the Lakers' defensive flaws and put the team on his back as a scorer. By replacing him with Doncic, however, Los Angeles has changed the way it's structured to perform on both ends of the court.

That begins with the simple fact that Doncic is a perimeter-oriented playmaker who gets downhill, creates for others, and provides his own spacing while benefiting from that which his teammates generate.

Having Doncic on the floor should thus simplify the game for a number of players in the purple and gold. It should also highlight strengths that may have previously been overlooked, due in no part to Davis, but instead the general approach the team took to the game.

The question is: Who are the specific players who stand to benefit the most from Doncic's arrival and ultimate impact on the rotation?

1. Dorian Finney-Smith

No player stands to benefit more from the arrival of Doncic than Dorian Finney-Smith. A mid-season acquisition in his own right, Finney-Smith is reunited with a former teammate with whom he's already displayed remarkable chemistry on both ends of the floor.

Already a successful acquisition as a 3-and-D wing who has helped transform the Lakers' defense, Finney-Smith now has a long-term home to consider.

Finney-Smith played alongside Doncic with the Mavericks between 2018 and 2023. Between 2018-19 and 2021-22, his four full seasons with Doncic in Dallas, Finney-Smith averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .461/.374/.710 shooting.

More importantly, he emerged as one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA, proving capable of defending multiple positions and spacing the floor at a high level.

In Los Angeles, Finney-Smith is already earning a similar reputation—one that Doncic is likely to facilitate. The Lakers need perimeter defenders to complement their new superstar, as well as shooters to space the floor.

Who better to excel in that regard than a player who already has a relationship with Doncic both on and off the court?

2. LeBron James

There are obvious questions about how two of the more ball-dominant playmakers in the NBA plan to coexist. The answers may determine whether or not the Doncic and LeBron James pairing should continue beyond the 2024-25 season

If they're able to find their footing as a duo, however, there's no way around how much easier the game should be for James in 2025 and beyond.

James continues to play at an All-Star level, but at 40 years of age, it's fair to question how sustainable it is for him to operate as the Lakers' primary playmaker. This has nothing to do with capability, but is instead a fair concern over how much wear and tear he should be asked to sustain at an age that most NBA players are long retired by.

With Doncic in the fold, however, the Lakers have a new player to lead the offense—and can thus properly pace their 40-year-old superstar through the regular season.

In an ideal world, this will enable James to conserve his energy, pick his spots as a scorer and playmaker, and defend with more intensity. It also positions him to continue to thrive at the end of games, which is intriguing to consider, as he ranks No. 11 in points per fourth quarter.

With Doncic and Austin Reaves running the offense during regular season games, James can prioritize his scoring and enter the playoffs as fresh and healthy as possible.

3. Gabe Vincent

The acquisition of Doncic has sprouted several questions, with none more alarming than what this means for the Lakers' defense. Davis, a five-time All-Defense honoree, was not only Los Angeles' interior anchor, but a versatile contributor who provided value all over the court.

Without Davis protecting the paint, the Lakers will need their perimeter players to step up on defense—and Gabe Vincent will be as important as anyone on the current roster.

Vincent has received his share of criticism for his indecision on offense, but he's the best guard defender the Lakers have. His pedigree as a defender is well-established from his time with the Miami Heat and he continues to bring value to Los Angeles.

The Lakers are allowing 2.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when Vincent is on the court—and, since Christmas, opponents are shooting 7.5 percent worse when he's the primary defender.

Considering he missed all but 11 games during the 2023-24 regular season, that's an impressive display after just over half a year back in the rotation. It's also worth noting that Vincent is shooting 37.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, including 39.3 percent since Jan. 1.

The Lakers need guards who are willing to defend and alleviate some of the concerns about Doncic's own inconsistency on that end, and Vincent looks like the best choice to help in that regard.

Schedule