Why Luka Doncic's arrival will do more bad than good for the LA Lakers

The first weekend of February brought out the most significant blockbuster trade in NBA history. Luka Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers, and Anthony Davis went the other way to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in addition to Doncic, while Dallas got Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz were also involved in the trade, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers and Mavericks.

The outpouring of anger from some Dallas Mavericks fans and critics would make you think that the Los Angeles Lakers have gotten the best deal in all sports history. Here is why Luka Doncic's arrival in LA will do more bad than good.

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Former Laker Anthony Davis is a prolific defender, averaging 2.1 blocks this season (third in the NBA) and 1.3 steals. With Davis as their primary defender, the Lakers sit 21st in the NBA in defensive rating. Without him, that ranking will drop drastically.

Doncic is known to be lazy on defense despite his 6 ft 7 in frame. In the 2024 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics were able to blow by Doncic on 67.7% of their drives, and in the two seasons before the Finals, Doncic had a blow-by rate of 44.7%, the highest rate in the league.

No one expects him to be as dominant as Davis on the defensive end. Still, as Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison said, "Defence wins championships," and Davis provides that over Doncic. It may be because of Luka's conditioning.

Doncic was listed at 230 pounds but was 30 pounds heavier at the start of this season. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, "Though Luka was relatively lean by standards when he reported to camp, his weight ballooned to the high 260s early this season."

His poor conditioning is a key factor in his lack of defense and availability (22 games played this season). Laker legend Magic Johnson took a sly dig at the Slovenian guard when he welcomed him to Los Angeles at the weekend.

According to the New York Post, Magic Johnson said: "LeBron James will be a positive influence on Luka, teaching him his championship mentality that includes taking his conditioning seriously." Will LeBron James stay to help Doncic get that right?

According to Talksport, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said: "If I'm LeBron James, I'll waive my no-trade clause to try and get to Golden State. That would be my number one option. The Lakers aren't winning any championships as presently constructed. I can tell you that."

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For James, the prospect of playing with Curry over Doncic fits his style to a tee. With Curry, James would keep the ball in his hands, with Curry playing off the ball and looking for open shots. With Doncic, both players need the ball to be effective, so how can their dynamic work?

Before they can make the dynamic work between themselves, the trade leaves the Lakers with no All-Star-level big men to play at power forward or center. Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Christian Koloko, and Jaxson Hayes occupy those positions.

According to ESPN, the scoring averages of all four together are 26.8 points per game. Davis, on his own, is averaging 25.7 PPG. The lack of scoring output from the power forwards and centers is cause for concern now that they have given Davis away to a Western Conference rival.

The Lakers have a lot of building to do to try and ensure Doncic has a competitive championship team when James eventually retires after playing over 20 years in the league. The draft is the best place to do that, but the Lakers' front office has mismanaged their first-round picks.

The Lakers had already traded their 2025 and 2027 first-round picks when they acquired Davis from New Orleans in 2012 and DiAngelo Russell in 2023. According to the Stepien Rule, the Lakers can't trade consecutive picks, so they had to keep their 2026 and 2028 first-rounders and trade away their 2029 pick when they sent Davis to the Mavs.

Their lack of draft capital means they will only get two first-round picks in the following five draft classes, and they don't have leverage in pursuing an All-Star center or power forward unless they trade away key pieces from their roster.

With Doncic's poor defensive tendencies, the unknowing of how the dynamic will work between him and LeBron, and the Lakers' lack of leverage in the draft and trade market, this trade could shape a terrible future for the Los Angeles Lakers if they don't act fast.

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