Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[F Gump]

I liked this post because it’s a smart take and I know you know a lot about where teams are financially. And I’m replying because I want to convert. (Help my unbelief!) 

But jeez, man. FanDuel has this year’s championship odds at +1800 (6th) for the Lakers and +9000 (11th) for the Mavs. And I get why you think the Lakes are limited in what maneuvers they can make next year, but after that, they only have Doncic, Reeves, and Vandy on contract. 

They’re the Lakers. Stars want to be there. I can’t see betting against em.

That's a fair and reasonable take. 

However I happen to disagree on the thought it will somehow be easy for the Lakers to be flush with talent out of the blue in a few years. I mean, are they really the gold standard for roster building these days?

Let's look at their cap room one step further, however, in both directions. 

In one direction, say LeBron wants another supermax deal - i can't imagine they say no. But then, how good will he be? Catering to him because they can't say no (see James, Bronny) doesn't mean he will be great. But in that scenario, there's no money to spend on adding talent, because LeBron wants and gets first dibs on it. 

There's another direction possible, which is that Luka gets to 2026 and decides he wants a different team going forward. Maybe one on the east coast, closer to Europe. So he walks. Just goes to another team. Where's their future then? 

I see nothing in those possibilities that makes me think LA is a lock on any upcoming titles, much less several. Maybe they can find a path to squeeze through, who knows .... but it's so iffy from here to there. 

I at least see the pieces already assembled, on Dallas. If they are healthy -- not a slam dunk, to be sure, but very possible. And the Mavs certainly have enough assets to add more pieces as needed. With the well rounded and deep talent base already assembled, and NOT lacking elite talent either, I see better possibilities.