No, they didn’t.
Sure, they did.
They did! They did! They did!
In making the boldest transfer in franchise historical past Saturday evening, the Lakers rediscovered their battle, their future, and the hearts of their followers.
Rob Pelinka, I may kiss you.
A workforce clogged with mediocrity simply discovered hope once more. A workforce that was being run into the bottom by a famous person and his agent simply regained management of its id once more.
Fifty years after stealing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the Milwaukee Bucks, the locals pulled off a equally spectacular transfer with an equally compelling message.
The Lakers are performing just like the Lakers once more.
In a commerce that’s preposterous to even verbalize, a lot much less truly full, the Lakers despatched famous person Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal that introduced them even greater famous person Luka Doncic.
A.D. for Luka … A.D. for Luka … You’ve received to maintain saying it to really begin believing it.
Nice commerce. Great commerce. Championship commerce.
The Lakers dealt a brittle 31-year-old defensive whiz for a 25-year-old scoring machine. They dealt a man who may by no means carry a workforce for a man who final 12 months almost hauled the mediocre Mavericks to an NBA title.
They dealt their murky current for an awe-inspiring future, and now it’s important to marvel, with the NBA commerce deadline simply 4 days away, are they carried out?
Is LeBron James subsequent?
Coach JJ Redick could have a brand new famous person changing Anthony Davis, left, however what does the longer term maintain for LeBron James?
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Instances)
What if James is sad with the departure of a man he mainly introduced right here? What if James doesn’t relish the thought of ending his profession alongside an even bigger persona who will demand far more of the ball? What if James is offended {that a} workforce he as soon as managed made such an enormous deal with out his obvious approval?
What if James agrees to be traded to, say, the Golden State Warriors? What if clearing out their crumbling home of their two cornerstones was the Lakers’ plan all alongside?
Right here’s hoping that occurs. This house has lengthy pleaded for it to occur, brazenly begging in a December column.
Expensive LeBron … ask out. Expensive A.D … .comply with him
One down, one to go, and, now that he’s lastly seen the sunshine, don’t put it previous Pelinka to drag it off. He is aware of the workforce must be gutted. He is aware of his job would possibly rely upon it. He’s absolutely uninterested in being known as Wealthy Paul’s caddy, and he is aware of it’s time for a divorce.
It was completely time for a separation from Davis, who the Lakers wrongly thought could be a part of a career-ending duo with James. In any case, they have been a match made in Hollywood. They have been a glittering pair. They have been a dashing duo. They have been a celeb twosome that the Lakers felt have been good for this metropolis.
Good for Pelinka for lastly realizing their combo was all model and no substance. Aside from his play throughout the COVID-shortened 2020 bubble title 12 months, Davis simply may by no means keep on the courtroom lengthy sufficient to make the kind of influence essential to grow to be James’ successor.
This season was an ideal instance. Davis lately accomplished one of many biggest stretches of his profession — 11 double-doubles in 12 video games — however the run ended with an stomach damage that can sideline him indefinitely.
He performed laborious, however his physique by no means allowed him to meet the predictions of greatness that surrounded him. He was the writer of the memorable “Mamba Shot” within the last seconds of a 2020 playoff sport towards the Denver Nuggets, however he would not often put collectively the consecutive overpowering performances crucial for the Lakers to win within the postseason. He’s a terrific man, however he was by no means the best man, and the Lakers needed to dump him in favor of any person higher suited to hold the Lakers into the post-LeBron period.
Doncic is that man.
He’s flashy but robust, he’s clever but youthful, he’s one of many 5 greatest gamers within the league who immediately grew to become expendable due to his large contract and increasing waistline.
He missed 5 video games earlier this season just because the Mavericks wished him to get in form,, and he hasn’t performed since straining his calf on Christmas day, however goodness, there may not be a extra clutch participant within the league.
He averaged 29 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in final season’s NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. He averaged 32 factors and nearly a triple-double within the Western Convention finals towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He made the All-NBA first workforce in every of the final 5 seasons and capped off his run with a scoring title.
The one factor the 6-foot-6 star doesn’t do is play middle. The Lakers now want a middle. And so they have 4 days to seek out one.
The buying and selling of Anthony Davis is an enormous step. However it’s in all probability simply step one in what might be the whole reimagining of Lakers greatness.
LeBron James, you’re on the clock …
