One key flaw the Lakers need to fix after Luka Doncic trade

A familiar need still presents itself after the blockbuster trade for Doncic...

Dec 12, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) after the Mavericks defeat the Lakes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 12, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) after the Mavericks defeat the Lakes at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Despite landing the trade of the decade with the acquisition of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, Rob Pelinka still has more work that needs to be done.

The Los Angeles Lakers helped shock the NBA last night when they traded a package built around Anthony Davis to acquire the former Mavericks superstar. It was a deal that seemingly came out of nowhere and left people's jaws on the floor. However, if Pelinka intends to position the Lakers to push for a title in the 2024-25 season, this new roster has some glaring needs that require attention.

An area of need becomes more desperate for the Lakers

There are certainly a couple of things that become apparent with this new team. Adding help to the perimeter defense can certainly be identified as a focal point. Having Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James guarding in space leaves considerable question marks.

However, there is another familiar point of starvation where the Lakers are now even more desperate. The need for frontcourt help is at an all-time high after shipping away an All-NBA big man in Davis.

Securing Maxi Kleber in the package that brought Doncic to Los Angeles was a nice addition for the Lakers. That being said, a center rotation of Kleber and Jaxson Hayes does not inspire confidence moving forward.

A trade for a strong, defensive-minded center would go a long way for this team. Davis' remarkable abilities on that end helped a subpar unit hold their own at times. Losing a solid defender in Christie will not help the cause either. The Lakers need an anchor in the paint who can solidify their unit when stops are needed.

The two big questions in this equation are how aggressive Pelinka and company want to be in chasing a title in the immediate future and whether they have enough remaining trade assets to acquire a substantial boost on the interior.

Sending away the 2029 first-round pick in the deal to acquire Doncic leaves the Lakers with only 2031 as a major source of draft capital. An important question to ponder will be whether opposing front offices will see that pick with the same kind of value it may have previously held. The acquisition of Doncic helped secure a post-LeBron future in Los Angeles.

The potential deals that could come from the Lakers dangling player assets would almost certainly need to involve a piece which Los Angeles may not be thrilled to part with. Would the Lakers need to part with a player like Reaves to receive anything of serious substance from opposing general managers?

The challenges to improving the center position on the roster are certainly present for the Lakers. However, it is tough to envision them truly competing for a title this season without making that necessary maneuver.

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