This NBA trade deadline we saw a plethora of players get moved. The biggest one being the Lakers sending Anthony Davis and Max Christie for Luka Doncic.A few other key trades was Kings guard De’Aaron Fox being traded to the Spurs, Zack Lavine to the Kings, and another blockbuster Jimmy Butler to the Warriors.
The obvious blockbuster being Luka Doncic who just led the Mavericks to their first finals appearance in a while since the Dirk Nowitzki era. This decision shocked not only Mavs fans but the whole league. The Lakers traded their all star center in Anthony Davis for the Slovenian guard. Now who won this controversial trade? Davis’s debut was going great, posting up 26 points 16 rebounds and 7 assists.What makes this debut bittersweet is AD is now out indefinitely with an apparent groin injury.
The Lakers are now entering the playoffs as the 3 seed in the west, trailing the Rockets and Thunder. Playoffs begin Saturday April 19th against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves for the Lakers. With the big 3 pairing of Luka, LeBron, and Reaves, a deep playoff run looks imminent for the Slovenian guards first year with the club. However questions arise with matchups and future challengers. “How will Jokic be guarded?” “Can Reaves compete with Edwards’s versatility?”. Well just look at it like this, the Lakers had a top 5 defense under coach JJ Reddick. Without a dominant big man roaming the paint, Center Jaxson Hayes has been a key factor to this success. So the lineup shapes up to this: Luka, Bron, Reaves, Hachimura, Hayes.
WIth the Lakers having a great depth of role players such as Dorian Finney-Smith, and sharp shooters like Dalton Knecht, they have the resources to make a successful shot at the championship. With the west being a bloodbath this year, the path up will not be easy.
“So far, Luka’s been a huge game changer for this Lakers offense” said Braydon Brown, Lakers Fan. “Super excited to see how he performs in the playoffs with my glorious king LeBron, I think the chemistry is there, and this team is gonna go far.”. Fans are excited, managers are pleased, without a doubt this new refreshed Lakers team is sure to break records, and restore what the Los Angeles team is all about, winning.
