The Los Angeles Lakers let LeBron James have too much say over roster decisions for years, and now they are making that same mistake with Luka Doncic as he takes over as their alpha. There are several examples of moves LeBron clearly wanted after the championship in 2020 that did not work out. Fans will immediately point to Russell Westbrook, but Jarred Vanderbilt, Patrick Beverley, Carmelo Anthony, and several others had direct ties to King James. It is hard to defeat the best teams in the NBA with ill-fitting role players flanking the stars.
Luka has already been given plenty of say since arriving in the stunning blockbuster trade. The Lakers immediately tried to trade for Mark Williams to give him a rim-rolling lob threat, but a failed physical forced them to rescind the deal. This summer, LA added Deandre Ayton to fill that role. The fit may be fantastic, but it is important to note that Doncic and Ayton are both represented by Billy Duffy.
The Lakers have long been known for catering to their star players, but the franchise can’t do that to its detriment. There is a ton of skill in the modern NBA. Teams need pieces that fit to win a championship. LA must be willing to stand up to their superstar and go in a different direction if they believe it maximizes their chances of winning it all.
Lakers can’t afford to give Luka Doncic the same power LeBron James had
LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, have a ton of pull in the NBA. Paul has built a massive client base, and King James helps many of them get paid. The biggest move of GM LeBron’s career may have been convincing the Lakers to draft his son and hand him a four-year contract worth nearly $8 million.
James loved to have a say over personnel, but it often didn’t work. Convincing Anthony Davis to join the Lakers was massive. It won them a championship and ultimately got Luka to LA, but the franchise has won just two playoff series since that bubble title in 2020. In three of the last five years, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers also missed the playoffs entirely in 2022.
Every dollar counts under the latest CBA. Moves on the margins are more important than ever. Every year, key role players on bargain contracts help teams make deep playoff runs. The Lakers must start nailing those moves to be a serious contender. They can’t just ask Luka who he wants them to sign.
The Mavericks showed the Lakers the blueprint to building around number 77. Dallas reached the conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2024 with a second ball-handler, floor spacers, and a rim-rolling big man. Those are the keys to Luka running one of the best offenses in the league, and getting the roster to buy in on defense pushes them into title contention.
It is on Rob Pelinka and the front office to build that roster. Luka won’t want the say that LeBron James and Rich Paul had with the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic will maximize his teammates no matter who is on their roster. The pressure is on the franchise to find him the right pieces to get him his first championship. It shouldn’t be on the superstar, and fixing this problem could bring banner number 18 to LA quickly. The ball is in the Lakers' court.