The Los Angeles Lakers went out and overpaid for Walker Kessler because Luka Doncic wanted a difference-making center, but it wasn’t lost on fans that Rob Pelinka never did this for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. AD always wanted to play the four and made several demands for a big man over the years. LeBron backed him every step of the way, but it never happened. Los Angeles cobbled together answers at that position until they traded for Luka. Then, things instantly changed.
The Lakers traded Davis for Doncic, and made it clear that it was number 77’s team. They tried to trade for Mark Williams, but the deal was rescinded by a failed physical. Luka's stance never changed. The Lakers added Ayton as a stopgap option before giving up a massive haul for Kessler because that is what Doncic wanted.
Fans were letting their frustrations out on social media, and Davis even responded to one with a rolling-on-the-floor laughing emoji. LeBron and AD led the Lakers to a championship in 2020, but they still didn’t get what they wanted. That hasn’t been the case for Doncic.
Lakers gave Luka Doncic the center LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanted
Centers are a limited quantity in the NBA. Finding a difference-maker isn’t easy and is always costly. The Lakers had to give up two unprotect first-round draft picks, two first-round swaps, and dish out $130 million to land Kessler. It was a massive overpay for a player that averages under ten points per game for his career.
LA was unwilling to pay that price when they had LeBron and AD. James’ age and Davis’ injury history were factors. The Lakers didn’t want to have an overpriced center clogging their books when the two stars were gone. Luka is in the middle of his prime and figures to keep LA in contention for more than the four years on Kessler’s contract.
Doncic is the face of the Lakers. Any possible questions about that ended when LeBron informed the franchise he wouldn’t return. LA promised Luka upgrades and a team built around him this summer. Rob Pelinka delivered like he never has before. He went out and got Luka the center that LeBron and AD wanted. The price didn’t matter. Pelinka had to do it, and he made it happen.
LeBron clearly wasn’t happy with the immediate shift to being Luka’s team. He opted in to his player option last summer and will take significantly less money to leave the Lakers this year. King James is a Lakers legend, but turns 42 in December. The purple and gold had to bet on their prime superstar, and keeping him happy is a massive part of seeing him stay with the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers spent handsomely to get Luka Doncic the center he wanted. That was something Rob Pelinka and the front office refused to do for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Things have clearly changed. This is Luka’s show. AD could only laugh at the fans' frustration, but such is life. Doncic is best with a rim protector behind him, so the Lakers made the bold move.
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