Jovan Buha advises the Lakers to prioritize winning now with LeBron and AD, cautioning against sacrificing their current title window for future prospects.
Jovan Buha recently highlighted a crucial point on his show, warning the Lakers against losing focus on the current LeBron James-Anthony Davis era while searching for future stars. As the Lakers navigate the complex landscape of NBA team building, Buha emphasized the delicate balance they must strike between preparing for the future and maximizing their present championship window.
(Cleaned up for better understanding)
“This is something that’s been on my mind this offseason, as the Lakers have been the focus of a lot of public discourse. Most recently, from Lakers owner and governor Jeanie Buss, but also earlier in the offseason from Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, as well as head coach JJ Redick.”
“A lot of the talk has centered on finding a player that they felt was worth giving up a first-round pick or two. Otherwise, I think they would have already made a trade if something had reached that level. There’s been a lot of talk and investment toward the future of this franchise, and on the one hand, I get it.”
“With the new constraints of the CBA, it’s going to be really important to draft, identify, and retain young talent. That’s why I think it was smart of them to retain a guy like Max Christie. Even though it wasn’t a minimum contract and was a little bit higher than maybe some people thought he deserved, it’s an investment in the future.”
“I really think that as early as next season, a guy like Max Christie could be worth more than the Lakers signed him for in terms of annual value. So, on one hand, I get that, and it makes sense. But on the other hand, your best player is 39, or second-best, whatever you consider him, and is about to be 40.”
“Your other best or second-best player is 31, about to be 32. The talk about the future needs to take into account that the Lakers are in a win-now situation. They’re in a one- to two-year window trying to win another championship.”
“So, for me, all the talk about the future and the picks, and some of the young guys, is great, but it’s about who can help this group win a championship now. Among the young guys, depending on who you classify as young, Dalton Knecht looks like he has a shot to be a rotation guy.”
“I think Max Christie should still be included in that young group. But the other guys, like JHS, Maxell Lewis, and Bronny, could be contributors next season and potentially even the following season. So, if you’re high on them and looking at what they could do in, say, 2028, sure, you have to value them to some extent.”
“But this should be about what the Lakers can do to build the best roster for next season, not so much what they might look like in 2027, 2029, etc. Right now, they don’t have that young blue-chip guy. They have some intriguing rotation players or maybe even starting-level guys, but they don’t have that superstar unless they get someone like Anthony Edwards or Luka.”
“If they do, of course, we’re having a different conversation. But as things stand now, you’re building around LeBron and AD. Like I’ve been saying, you can’t really prioritize the future and prioritize the now at the same time.”
“It’s one or the other, and you’ve got to pick. If it were up to me, I think I would trade both picks and lean into making this roster as competitive and as good as possible.” (3:46)
Buha pointed out that the Lakers’ management, including owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka, and head coach JJ Redick, has been vocal about the importance of securing the franchise’s future.
They have been evaluating potential trades, particularly those involving first-round picks, to identify a player who could be worth such a significant investment. While Buha understands the logic behind this strategy, given the new constraints of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), he also expressed concern that this forward-looking approach could come at the expense of the present.
The Lakers are in a unique position with LeBron James, who is nearing 40, and Anthony Davis, who is approaching his mid-30s. This duo represents the Lakers’ best chance to win another championship in the near term. Buha cautioned that while it’s important to think about the future and retain young talent like Max Christie, the primary focus should be on winning now. The Lakers’ championship window is likely limited to the next one to two years, and decisions should be made with that in mind.
Buha also mentioned the Lakers’ young prospects, such as Dalton Knecht, Max Christie, and others like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, and Bronny James, who might develop into key contributors in the coming years. However, he argued that the Lakers cannot afford to prioritize their development at the expense of building the best possible roster around LeBron and AD right now.
While these young players hold potential, the Lakers currently lack a young, blue-chip superstar to build around for the future. Therefore, Buha suggests that the Lakers should consider trading future picks to acquire immediate help and fully commit to winning during the LeBron-AD era.
In essence, Buha’s advice to the Los Angeles Lakers is clear: while planning for the future is essential, the team’s primary focus should be on maximizing the present and capitalizing on the remaining years of their two superstars. The opportunity to win championships is fleeting, and the Lakers must seize it while they still have two of the best players in the league on their roster.