When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, the franchise officially embraced a prime-year perimeter-based franchise player for the first time in two decades. LeBron James clearly dominated in his own way, but he joined the Lakers mere months shy of turning 35.
With Doncic, the Lakers finally have something they've missed since Kobe Bryant was in his prime: An under-30 perimeter superstar whom it can build around long-term.
This, of course, isn't to say that Anthony Davis and James are anything less than spectacular players. They continue to rack up All-NBA nods as they perform at levels that only further solidify their place as two of the greatest players of all time.
The unfortunate reality facing the Lakers during the Davis and James era, however, was that age, injuries, and position all played significant factors in their respective and collective tenures.
Both Davis and James missed at least 26 games in three consecutive seasons after the Lakers won the title in 2019-20. Furthermore, there were inherent limitations to playing through a prime-year big rather than an under-30 perimeter-oriented shot creator and playmaker.
James was certainly no slouch in that regard, racking up accolades with his eyes closed, but Father Time imposes limitations—no matter how hard it may be to see them at times.
Lakers finally building around prime-year perimeter player in Luka Doncic
With Doncic, the Lakers have a superstar in their prime who has been actively dominating postseason series throughout his career. In 2024, for instance, he became the first player in NBA history to lead all postseason competitors in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
In the process, Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals—marking the second time in three seasons that he'd reached at least the Conference Finals.
Furthermore, Doncic boasts career postseason averages of 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. He's emerged victorious from postseason series during which he's gone head-to-head with the likes of Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A top-tier talent with a scoring title and five All-NBA First Team nods to his name, Doncic has accomplished more by 26 than the average star manages to in an entire career.
For the Lakers, having Doncic lead the way means operating with the confidence that they can rely on continued improvement from their best perimeter player. James is metronomic in his greatness, but Los Angeles has spent his tenure operating in uncharted territory.
James is actively defying Father Time and all of the rules fans thought they knew, but the Lakers have been as uncertain as anyone else over how long he can sustain his brilliance based on the lack of precedent.
With Doncic, history suggests he's yet to even enter the athletic prime of his career. As such, the Lakers can make long-term commitments based on his continued progression and the historically-supported belief that he'll continue to play at an MVP-caliber level.
James saved the Lakers from obscurity and Davis helped raise them to the status of a champion, but Doncic is Los Angeles' first prime-year perimeter superstar since Bryant.