Playing with Luka Doncic puts the game of basketball on easy mode for many of his teammates. With a handful of new arrivals joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season, there are several players who are about to learn that lesson through firsthand experience.
3 — Matisse Thybulle
For the most part, everyone understands who Matisse Thybulle is as a pro after seven years in the NBA. Thybulle is a defensive menace. On two occasions, the former Philadelphia 76er was even great enough to be named to the All-Defensive Second Team.
The encouraging development for Thybulle over recent seasons has been adding the ability to, at least, knock down his open 3-point shots. No one is going to mistake him for a volume marksman. However, Matisse did prove capable of hitting his open ones with the Portland Trail Blazers, shooting 37.4 percent on 3.5 attempts per game.
Thybulle should learn pretty quickly how much that will matter around Doncic. The Lakers superstar faces some of the most defensive pressure in the NBA. With his playmaking, that typically equates to easy scoring opportunities around him, especially on the perimeter.
If Thybulle can spread out and spot up, Doncic will find him. Under the spotlight of Los Angeles, that could position Matisse for a prominent role and notable boost to his reputation.
2 — Ziaire Williams
The idea of a Ziaire Williams breakout has been talked about a ton around here. Even so, let us give it one more go around.
With JJ Redick stating that two starting spots are open in Los Angeles, Williams has an excellent opportunity to secure one of those gigs. Should he maximize his opening to play beside Luka, Ziaire can elevate himself far beyond his status as a minimum contract guy in Los Angeles.
Williams is athletic, capable of feasting off cuts and lobs from Doncic. Ziaire can knock down his open triples, connecting on 43.8 percent of his wide-open looks from deep last season. Plus, the Lakers forward is more than a capable defender.
All of those things scream player that gets mightily boosted by Luka.
1 — Walker Kessler
This one was always going to be obvious, right?
Doncic ran two of the most successful two-man actions in the league last season with Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton. His combination with Hayes ranked second in the NBA at 1.2 points per direct action. Luka and Ayton were eighth, also posting an impressive 1.12 points per direct action.
Walker Kessler is a better player than both of those guys. The new Lakers center has a clear grasp on what the team will ask of him next to Doncic, too. Kessler will get to completely rewrite the perception of what he is capable of on the offensive end thanks to his new pick-and-roll partner.
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