When the Lakers returned from the All-Star break on Wednesday, they did so with nearly every player on the roster available. Outside of Maxi Kleber, the Lakers fielded a healthy roster for pretty much the first time this season, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register writes.
In that game against Charlotte, the Lakers used a starting lineup of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes, with Gabe Vincent, Alex Len, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt playing as reserves. That left Shake Milton, Markieff Morris, Bronny James and Cam Reddish on the outside looking in, but head coach JJ Redick acknowledged that the rotation is a work in progress.
“We’re still trying to develop the ideal rotation,” Redick said before the game. “But again, as we’ve said all year, the ideal rotation may change night to night, depending on the opponent. So a lot of guys will get their shot.”
Outside of just which players will earn regular playing time, the massive changes to the roster also open up questions about the game plan. As ESPN’s Dave McMenamin notes, on Wednesday it was James, not Doncic, who got the last shot with the Lakers looking to send the game to overtime. Doncic inbounded a pass to James, who missed a game-tying three against the Hornets.
“[James] had it going, so obviously we’re going to go to him,” Doncic said. “I think it will go both ways. One time it’s going to be him, one time me. So I think it depends how the game is going.”
Doncic has only played three games with the Lakers, and everyone involved knows that integrating a system-changing superstar doesn’t happen overnight. In his three games, Doncic is averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.0 turnovers and 4.3 fouls.
“Obviously, it’s going to take a little time,” Doncic said. “Today, a lot of rustiness for my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can’t happen. So just got to play basketball the right way.”
It isn’t just a new environment that might be contributing to rust for Doncic. Those three appearances with the Lakers are his first since Christmas Day due to his calf injury.
“He still doesn’t know all the plays. He doesn’t know all the defensive coverages, all the signals and things that we’ve built since September,” James said. “So obviously we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly. He’s coming back from his injury. He’s getting back into form. So we’re all working through it together.”
It’s still obviously early in the process, but the Lakers acquired Doncic with an eye toward the future. He’s under contract through at least next season and holds a player option worth $48.97MM in 2026/27. He could agree to an extension before then, and by all accounts, he seems in good spirits following the trade. Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth (Substack link) wrote more about Doncic’s integration.
“I’m happy to be here, man,” Doncic said. “This is one of the greatest clubs in the world. Just happy to be here. Obviously, I’m gonna need some time, but I’m happy to represent the Lakers.“
Much more important than how Luka fits in on offense is how the Lakers are able to cope with his defensive limitations. Last night they struggled to stop the terrible Hornets from scoring in crunch time even without Luka or AR on the court. LAL’s best defensive lineup is still only average. They’re best offensive lineups are gonna be among the worst defensive lineups in the league. I can’t see them winning a playoff series unless they luck up and get an all home game series vs a Kawhi-less Clips team. Prime DWade, young Kyrie & prime AD all meshed pretty seamlessly with Bron. Luka will eventually figure it out as well & their partnership will be just as great as those others. He’s never gonna be a good defender tho & they don’t have enough around him to make it work on that side of the ball this season.
If a calf injury took him out 3 months at 25, and he’s getting lapped by Rui and Austin, there’s really no way he’s ever going to fit in in Laker-land. He’s useless without the ball in his hands, doesn’t understand rotations on either end, and is a turnover machine as well (when combined with bad defense, it neutralizes any points he gets).
He’s used to being the center of the universe in Dallas. They coddled him for 7 years and let him eat himself into an early scrapheap. The Lakers are the land of dynasties, banners, and greats. He’s not competing with Dirk anymore, he’s competing with Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, Lebron. He’s a blip on the screen. With his mental instability and softness, I don’t think he’s going to be well-suited to Hollywood.
For the first time in his career, they’re going to demand greatness of him every minute of every game, and this is a guy who’s used to coasting whenever he feels like it.
It’s obvious the injuries and poor conditioning and weight finally took a toll. If a calf strain knocked him out for 3 months at 25, it could be the Lakers are the ones who took a gamble in bringing him onboard. A grade 2 calf strain shouldn’t keep a player out 3 months. If it does, there’s something serious going on with his body. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’ll never be 100% again.
Harshest criticism of Luka I have ever seen. I like to refer to him as a rich man’s Trae Young. If he is not going to commit himself on defense he won’t be the best player on a championship team. The Mavs run last year was a fluke and then they got dismantled by the C’s
Will you say that when he goes plays with Jokic ?
It didn’t knock him out three months. He got injured on Christmas Day. It has been little over *one* month.
Wow—if you can tell all this from three games you must own the stock market. Or are you Elon?
“….let him eat himself into an early scrapheap.”
Memorable line, John 120. Good stuff.
My immediate reaction to the trade was significant relief Pelinka & Co. are essentially punting on the season. The Lakers were really starting to hit their stride in the games leading up to the shocking trade. In a way, the deal reminds me of the Cespedes-for-Lester trade the A’s made with the BoSox in 2014, which still makes me sick to my stomach thinking about. Back to basketball: how in the HECK do you give up on one of the best big men in the game – and still in his prime, no less – for a guy who heavily (no pun intended) duplicates what you already have in Brawny Sensation?? I don’t care that AD reinjured himself – assuming full health at some point this season for AD and Luka, it’s a NO BRAINER which team looks better (on paper) and with the higher immediate ceiling. Isn’t the point of Brawny sticking around so long – while wearing out his welcome with many – is for him to have the best shot possible at another ring??
Bron and Luka at best have one good year together.
In that time. I doubt They figure out how to hide Luka on D.
Before the trade people were talking about hiding LeBron on defense. People are gonna whine. But taking a mediocre team to the finals—that’s fact.
Jokic getting sleepless nights with the thought of Hayes and Len coming at him.
And Wemby reading books before games
Of course we care about big market teams.
One of the problem with the Lakers are 2 players that both want the ball all the time. Going to take time for them to learn playing together.
LokoLuka Clan doesn’t care if Luka plays D. As long as he’s on their team. Im waiting for day Kobe statue smacks him silly. And contaminates him with the Mamba. OneWay Wonder will be highest paid player. Is this how you build a team. In a 2Way sport ……
Luka should of gone to NFL …..
A grade 2 calf injury just took him out over 3 months, he wouldn’t make it one day in the NFL I don’t think.
I’ll never understand what people see in this guy. If he were a boy band member, I can see fans squealing over him, but when you combine his turnovers with his poor defensive rotations, he’s pretty much neutralized in a game. It’s like every playoffs I’ve ever watched him in. Hey buddy it’s great you got 35 points. The only problem is that when the ball isn’t in your hands, you’re giving up 50.
He’s in the lands of the greats now, they’re not going to coddle him. He’ll either shape up or Lebron will turn him into the new Westbrook. Lakers are used to banners and greatness, they won’t tolerate his bulls**t the way Dallas did.
It wasn’t three months, though, only one.
> He’s in the lands of the greats now, they’re not
> going to coddle him.
“The greats”? You mean JJ Redick and LeBron?
“not going to coddle him”? You mean like Bronny?
Luka will be the most coddled player in NBA history.
Stop talking about KAT that badly…
Oh wait…
“I’m happy to represent the Lakers”
The normal phrase would be “I’m happy to be a Laker.” He’s not a rep. He’s a professional basketball player.
I believe Dallas knew he’s severely injured and that all the lifetime injuries and poor conditioning made his body a ticking timebomb. With a half-dozen teams strong candidates for a trophy, the Mavs didn’t feel like paying a max contract eventually for a player who’s gonna miss entire half seasons every other year.
It was the Lakers who were sitting at 5, three slots ahead of Dallas, and took all the risk here. You can see they’re a strong offensive club, but Luka is just more of the same, he brings none of what they lack, and if a calf strain knocked him out for 3 months at 25, he’s not looking at a long career. James is over 40 and is healthier than Luka.
No matter what happens with Davis, the Mavs made the right decision to go back to the drawing board. They were never getting through the west again with this guy.
“a calf strain knocked him out for 3 months at 25”
Christmas Day to February 11 is not 3 months… ♂️
Luka is probably still recovering, but next season he will be back to his regular shape.
Severely injured, huh? Exactly where? Every team in the NBA would take him—except one dumb one.
Dallas didn’t intend to go back to the drawing board (lottery ball time!). But I guess it’s only a matter of time.
I think everyone needs to take a deep breath, give him a little time and grace to get ramped back up from an injury. Also as silly as it may seem getting traded pry has him in his own head about a lot of things.
Everyone is going to hate this trade in a few years who isn’t a Laker fan… So they’re getting in early…
Let this season play out and see how it goes but in the end I don’t think Luka Bron and AR make a good trio. No defence at all, all kinda need the ball to be effective, all very smart players but not a fit together.
AR because of his improvement and contract he could get them a good return on the market.
AR and Kleber for Herb, Olynyk and a first
Elite defender, floor spacing centre and a first
As for Pels, Murray AR Trey Zion Missi with CJ as a sixth man.
AR and Kleber for Sexton and Kessler?
AR and Rui for KCP, Wendell Carter and 2 firsts?
AR, Rui and Knetch for Bridges and Williams?
I dont know even if you dont understand the value of Herb Jones or if you are just dumb
Thump City!
Luka is tuned out, he doesnt want to be there and any roster with Alex Len in it is doomed to fail.
Not allowed to have bad players at the end of your bench? Since when?
Every team does, you know.
Lakers are much worse now.