The Los Angeles Lakers made a seismic move that could redefine their future, acquiring superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade that shook the NBA. In return, the Mavericks received 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The blockbuster trade was a bold move for the Lakers, setting them up for a new era led by one of the brightest young stars in the game. However, while the trade brings immense promise, it leaves some significant gaps that need immediate attention.
Luka Doncic, just 25 years old, has already carved out a Hall-of-Fame trajectory with his incredible playmaking and scoring ability. Averaging 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, Doncic has established himself as one of the NBA’s most gifted players. The 5-time All-Star has been nothing short of exceptional for the Mavericks, taking them to the NBA Finals last season. With Doncic on board, the Lakers have their new franchise cornerstone, but the team now faces the challenge of filling the void left by Davis.
Anthony Davis, despite his injury concerns, was still a force for the Lakers. The 32-year-old center was not only a dominant force on offense, averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this season, but also one of the league’s best defenders. His rim protection and ability to control the paint made him an invaluable asset to the Lakers, especially in a league where interior defense is key to success. Losing Davis leaves a massive hole in the frontcourt, one that will require immediate action to address.
With the trade, the Lakers acquired Doncic, along with forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Kleber, a solid role player, and Morris, a veteran presence, can certainly contribute to the team, but neither brings the same level of defensive prowess as Davis. This has raised concerns about how the Lakers will handle teams with dominant big men in the postseason. As it stands, Jaxson Hayes is the only true center left on the Lakers roster, but his skillset is far from the elite level that Davis provided.
The Lakers’ decision to trade Davis was clearly part of their long-term vision, as the front office and coaching staff look to build a future around Doncic. Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka spoke highly of the move, emphasizing Doncic’s potential to lead the team for years to come. “Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” Pelinka said. His words reflect the Lakers’ belief that Doncic’s competitive nature and talent will be the key to their future success.
Magic Johnson, one of the most legendary figures in Lakers history, weighed in on the trade, acknowledging that while bringing Doncic to Los Angeles was a monumental move, the team still has work to do. Johnson, in his characteristic straightforward style, pointed out that the Lakers need to address their frontcourt depth. “And with this Luka trade, the Lakers definitely need a big man,” Johnson wrote on social media, highlighting the obvious gap in the team’s roster.
Johnson’s message underscores a key concern for the Lakers moving forward. While the excitement surrounding pairing Doncic with LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura is palpable, the Lakers are not yet finished in terms of constructing a championship-caliber team. They will need to find a way to replace Davis’ defensive impact and rebounding ability in the middle if they want to compete with the league’s elite teams.
The Lakers’ frontcourt situation remains fluid. With the trade that sent Davis to Dallas, the team now has more flexibility with their cap space, but they must act quickly to solidify the center position. There are several potential options available in the trade market or through free agency, but the question remains whether the Lakers can find a big man who can fill the void left by Davis’ departure.
For now, the Lakers’ roster features a mix of young talent and veterans, but without a dominant force in the paint, they may struggle against teams with strong centers. The team will need to be strategic in the next phase of roster construction, ensuring that they can compete with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and other title contenders with elite big men.
As for Doncic, the expectations are sky-high. Joining the Lakers puts an immense amount of pressure on the young star to deliver right away. Fortunately, he’s no stranger to high stakes, having already led the Mavericks to great heights in his short career. The synergy between Doncic and LeBron James could be one of the most exciting duos in the NBA, but the team will need more than just scoring and playmaking from their new star. They’ll need to solidify their defense and rebounding to become true title contenders.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see how they fill out the roster. It’s clear that the team’s identity will be reshaped around Doncic, but without a legitimate big man, the Lakers will struggle to compete with the league’s top teams. Johnson’s message is a call to action, and it will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond to this new challenge.
As the 2025 NBA season continues, the Lakers’ front office will undoubtedly be working tirelessly to make the necessary adjustments. The acquisition of Doncic is a step in the right direction, but it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise. The question now is whether the Lakers can find the right pieces to complement their new superstar and build a team capable of competing for championships in the coming years.