The 2024 NBA Draft will provide the Los Angeles Lakers with an opportunity to begin the pursuit of a brighter future. Anthony Davis and LeBron James continue to provide the pieces for a championship window, but Los Angeles is rightfully looking beyond the short-term.
In the process of establishing a roster that can thrive beyond the Davis and James era, the Lakers will also attempt to strike a delicate balance by supplementing their talents.
In attempting to create a roster that both thrives in the short-term and builds towards a brighter future, general manager Rob Pelinka should look back in time. Specifically, Pelinka should remember what it was that made the 2020 Lakers such a special team.
In doing so, Los Angeles would simultaneously appease their franchise player and give itself a chance to compete for another championship.
What worked for the championship-winning Lakers in 2020?
The Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship by dominating down low. Anthony Davis was the focal point in that regard, but the roster complemented him perfectly with shot-blocking centers such as Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee.
That three-headed monster down low was complemented by the physical dominance of LeBron James and defensive-minded perimeter players such as Alex Caruso, Danny Green, and Rajon Rondo. It's a formula for success that could still be emulated with the current core.
Thankfully for Los Angeles, there could be a player available at No. 17 who helps the team return to its championship roots by controlling the interior.