Will Luka Doncic and LeBron James be a Winning Combination for the Lakers?

Now that the shock has worn off -- kinda -- Lakers fans are wondering what happens next. Because while the conversation in Dallas about why Doncic is no longer a Mav is very complex and absolutely not finished (Nico Harrison's press conference on Sunday settled very little for Mavs fans), for the Lakers it's pretty straightforward. The Lakers had an opportunity to get their next generational star for a very reasonable price and took it. While it weakens them in the short term, the long term clarity the trade provides is obvious. Is it risk free? What trade is? What they have now is a consensus top 5 player in the NBA who isn't yet in his prime. The immediate question, beyond what the Lakers do next, is how the team's new star duo looks once Doncic is healthy enough to join LeBron James on the floor. What kind of fit are we talking about? On the one hand, both James and Luka are basketball savants, who see the floor in ways few players in history ever have. The playmaking ability of those two, especially working in tandem on pick and roll sets and so on, is staggering. That much size with that much passing skill is unprecedented. But here's the thing: While in the short term, this paring is of critical importance—if the Lakers are going to win this year and next, this duo will be the fuel that makes it happen—it's very clear now that long term decisions from the front office aren't going to be geared towards LeBron. Every meaningful roster decision the team makes is about Luka, and what works best to build around him when LeBron is done. And because Doncic is 25, not yet fully in his prime, those choices are a lot easier to make than they would be with a 32 or 33-year old Davis. To be clear, there's nobody LeBron really can't play with, even while some styles mesh better than others. And both he and Doncic will need to adjust, as any stars do when joined together for the first time. But any sense of the team making deals because that's what LeBron wants? Ok, but only if it makes sense for Luka, too. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: More Luka reaction. Why the Lakers HAD to say yes. SEGMENT 2: How risky is the risk, here? SEGMENT 3: Can LeBron and Luka play well together? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com . Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game. Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONN BA BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Robinhood With Robinhood Gold, you can now enjoy the VIP treatment. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. To receive 3% boost on annual IRA contributions, sign up at robinhood.com/gold . Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Super Bowl 59 is here, And there’s no better way to make every play more exciting than with FanDuel Sportsbook. New customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS, and if you win, you’ll score TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in Bonus Bets. Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of Super Bowl Fifty-Nine. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.