The Los Angeles Lakers have their new head coach in JJ Redick and now, all attention will turn to the team, its construction, and whether the front office will pursue a third superstar to add to a foundation that includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“If the franchise cornerstones had their way, league sources say, the Lakers would prove their desire to win this week by going all-in for another elite player,” Sam Amick of The Athletic reported.
And the team should.
The Lakers tried a different approach a year ago, adding depth instead of searching for that one, true megastar to go along with the greatest of this generation and their franchise big man.
They re-signed D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura, and added Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood.
Injuries hampered some of those players’ abilities to contribute to their fullest. Even with that in mind, the team went 47-35 and finished seventh in the Western Conference before being swept out of the playoffs in the first round by Denver.
It was an unsatisfactory season for a team that had advanced to the conference finals just one year earlier.
With that formula not working, and both James and Davis another year older, the team must go all-in this off-season and bring in a third star to enhance the roster and give its stars the best shot at winning another championship.
The Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray and Trae Young have been linked to the team by NBA insiders, while Donovan Mitchell is a dream addition, but is likely to sign a max contract to remain in Cleveland.
Paul George’s destination is still unknown and there are other free agents. Bulls star DeMar DeRozan has been linked to the Lakers dating back to 2021, when he believed a deal had been finalized for his services, and could be once again.
The team finally has draft picks at play for a potential trade package if necessary but regardless of how it goes about accumulating talent, the team has to find a third star to pair with James and Davis to maximize its potential.
Yes, they have tried before, with the addition of Russell Westbrook. That did not work and created locker room drama. That is why it will be imperative for all involved to get a feel for each of the potential additions and whether the personalities and on-court play will mesh.
James, himself, is a free agent, with a player option, and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported the team has offered him a three-year deal to keep him in the City of Angels through his 24th season. He may be the best player of his generation, if not ever, but the tread is coming off the tires.
Davis is in his prime and the last thing he or the organization wants to do is waste it.
Acquiring a third star and building chemistry this offseason under Redick will be key to the Lakers’ championship hopes. Otherwise, another season of disappointment, negative headlines, and questions about whether James made the right decision to return will dominate the discussion.