The unfortunate truth about how the Lakers can become contenders again

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will be measured against one another until the end of time. The two most dominant and decorated franchises in NBA history have set the pace for the Association in virtually every way since the league was founded in 1946-47.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Celtics have taken the lead following their championship season in 2023-24, thus securing title No. 18 to Los Angeles' 17.

As the Lakers search for ways to even the tally, even more unfortunate truths are being presented to them. LeBron James will turn 40 in December and could retire as soon as next summer, D'Angelo Russell is again on the trading block, and JJ Redick is entirely unproven as a head coach.

The most unfortunate truth of all, however, is the simple fact that the Lakers' return to glory will require it to appreciate and acknowledge what makes their rival great.

Boston didn't just win the championship this season—it continued the historical trend of establishing a new standard for the rest of the NBA. It assembled an all-but flawless roster, flush with All-Star talent and remarkable depth, and went 64-18 in the regular season and 16-3 in the playoffs.

If the Lakers are going to even the score at 18 championships, then they'll need to learn from the one team it hates most.

Sadly, the Celtics showed the Lakers how to win in the modern era

For as painful as it may be for the Lakers to acknowledge, the Celtics mastered the art of building a roster for the modern era in 2024-25. They were the best three-point shooting team in the NBA, built an elite defensive backcourt, and complemented their efforts with a dominant post presence.

The end result was Boston ranking No. 1 in the NBA in net rating, offensive rating, and three-point field goals made, and No. 2 in defensive rating and three-point field goal percentage.

The Lakers don't need to copy the Celtics from top to bottom, but their methods should be studied and embraced throughout the NBA. The roster was constructed over many years, with a clear focus on complementing franchise players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum with perfect balance.

With a focus on building a defensive-minded supporting cast that can pass, dribble, and shoot, and bigs who can post and protect the paint, the Celtics constructed a winner.

In Los Angeles, the talent is in place for the Lakers to do the same—and 2024-25 could be the beginning of that process. Anthony Davis and LeBron James will be an elite duo until they split, and their recent success at the 2024 Summer Olympics implies they aren't slowing down just yet.

Los Angeles also has proven postseason players in Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent, a wing stopper in Jarred Vanderbilt, and productive scorers in Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell.

Furthermore, the Lakers have prioritized the development of young players such as Max Christie and Dalton Knecht, much as the Celtics did with Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard. Los Angeles has also flashed elite potential of its own, including the fact that it posted the fifth-best winning percentage in the NBA after February 1.

As the Lakers search for answers on how to take the next step toward contending, however, it's the Celtics who have unfortunately set the standard for what needs to be done.