Lakers’ Luka Doncic trade not enough to win NBA Championship as “move that could have been” backfires
The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, have always been at the forefront of high-profile moves. From Kobe Bryant’s legendary career to LeBron James’ recent title run, the Lakers have been known for making bold decisions that reshape the landscape of the league. However, one of the most talked-about moves in recent memory—the Lakers’ trade for Luka Dončić—has not had the desired effect. What was seen by many as a potential championship-altering transaction has instead become one of the most disappointing trades in Lakers’ history, leaving the team, fans, and analysts questioning what went wrong.
This article takes a deep dive into the Lakers’ attempt to acquire Luka Dončić, the hope surrounding the trade, the reality of what transpired, and how this move ultimately backfired, leaving the Lakers without the championship they were chasing. We’ll examine the trade itself, the team’s struggles after the move, and what could have been done differently to achieve the success that Lakers’ management envisioned when they made this high-stakes acquisition.
The Trade: A Bold Move for a Superstar
The 2025 NBA trade deadline brought with it a sense of anticipation that could be felt across the league. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, were in search of a move that would solidify their roster and propel them to a title. With rumors swirling around Luka Dončić and his future with the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers saw an opportunity to acquire one of the league’s most talented young stars.
On the surface, the trade made sense. Luka Dončić, at only 25 years old, had already established himself as one of the brightest young superstars in the NBA. His scoring ability, playmaking skills, and ability to dominate games were unrivaled, and he seemed like the perfect complement to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers, already a top contender in the West, needed a player who could take over games when LeBron was resting or injured, and Dončić seemed like the missing piece.
The trade package that brought Dončić to Los Angeles was significant. The Lakers sent several future first-round picks, a couple of promising young players, and salary cap relief in exchange for Dončić. The deal was designed to give the Lakers an elite trio—LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Dončić—forming a core that could challenge the league’s best. The Lakers’ front office felt confident that Dončić’s arrival would turn their roster into an instant championship contender.
However, as the season unfolded, it became increasingly clear that the trade that was supposed to catapult the Lakers to the top of the NBA had instead created a series of challenges that the team could not overcome.
The Initial Excitement: Hope for a New Era
When the trade was first announced, there was an undeniable sense of excitement and optimism among Lakers fans and players alike. The prospect of adding Luka Dončić to the roster alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis was tantalizing. Dončić, a player known for his ability to take over games and create for others, was expected to give the Lakers a new dimension offensively. With LeBron aging and Davis dealing with injuries, the acquisition of a player like Dončić seemed to be the perfect solution.
For a brief moment, the Lakers looked like a team ready to dominate. Dončić’s first few games with the Lakers were filled with promise. He displayed his all-around game, effortlessly scoring, passing, and creating opportunities for his teammates. LeBron, ever the team player, seemed excited by the prospect of sharing the floor with another playmaker of Dončić’s caliber, and Davis seemed reinvigorated, knowing that he wouldn’t have to shoulder the offensive burden alone.
The Lakers’ offense was fluid, and their defense—anchored by Davis—looked solid. For a team that had struggled with inconsistency in recent years, the trio of LeBron, Davis, and Dončić appeared to offer a perfect blend of experience, youth, and star power.
However, as the season wore on, the issues began to emerge.
The Struggles: Chemistry and Fit Issues
While the Lakers’ roster looked good on paper, the reality of integrating Luka Dončić into an already established team proved more challenging than anticipated. Dončić is known for his ball-dominant style of play, thriving in isolation and pick-and-roll situations where he can control the tempo of the game. While LeBron James has similar tendencies, he has long prided himself on being an unselfish player who thrives in a system built around ball movement and team play. The issue of overlapping skill sets became apparent as the two stars found it difficult to share the ball in an effective way.
Dončić’s style of play didn’t complement LeBron as seamlessly as expected. Both players wanted the ball in their hands to orchestrate the offense, leading to moments of miscommunication and stagnation. LeBron, who has been the primary playmaker for the Lakers throughout his time in Los Angeles, struggled to adjust to sharing the role with Dončić, who is also adept at facilitating. The resulting lack of fluidity in the offense often left the team disjointed, and the Lakers’ efficiency suffered as a result.
In addition to the ball-dominant nature of the two stars, the Lakers’ supporting cast struggled to find their place in the new offensive scheme. Players like Russell Westbrook, who had also struggled to find his role on the Lakers, now had to adjust to a third player who commanded the ball more often than expected. This disruption to the team’s rhythm led to a lack of consistency and cohesion on both ends of the floor.
On the defensive side, the Lakers had their issues as well. While Davis was still a dominant force in the paint, Dončić’s defensive weaknesses became a concern. Despite his many strengths, Dončić has long been criticized for his defensive effort and ability to guard elite players. The Lakers, who had built their championship hopes around a stout defense, now had a significant hole in that area, as Dončić’s lack of defensive intensity led to breakdowns on that end of the floor.
Injuries and Player Fatigue: A Persistent Problem
Another issue that plagued the Lakers after acquiring Luka Dončić was the ongoing problem of injuries and player fatigue. LeBron James, despite his legendary career, was not immune to the effects of aging. The wear and tear on his body, compounded by a shortened offseason, meant that he was often sidelined with various injuries. Similarly, Anthony Davis, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, continued to battle with health issues that affected his availability and performance on the court.
While Dončić remained healthy for most of the season, the lack of consistent play from LeBron and Davis made it difficult for the team to find any sort of rhythm. The Lakers’ depth, always a concern in recent seasons, was exposed once again. The team had traded away several valuable assets to acquire Dončić, and while the star trio was formidable when healthy, the Lakers’ lack of reliable bench players meant that they often struggled when their superstars were off the floor.
The injury issues, coupled with the lack of chemistry, led to a frustrating season for the Lakers. What was supposed to be a championship-caliber roster was now a team struggling to even make the playoffs. The addition of Dončić, instead of elevating the Lakers to new heights, had instead created a fractured team that lacked the balance necessary to compete for a title.
The Backfire: Why the Trade Didn’t Work
In retrospect, it’s clear that the Luka Dončić trade did not have the intended effect. Several factors contributed to the trade backfiring:
- Chemistry and Fit: The fit between LeBron, Davis, and Dončić was never seamless. Both LeBron and Dončić needed the ball in their hands to be effective, and that overlap led to offensive stagnation. The lack of ball movement and team-oriented play made the Lakers’ offense inefficient at times, especially in high-pressure situations.
- Defensive Struggles: The Lakers’ defense, once their biggest strength, suffered with the addition of Dončić. While Davis remained a dominant defensive force, Dončić’s lack of effort on that end of the floor created a significant liability. The Lakers had to compensate for this hole, and it was one that they were unable to fill adequately with their existing roster.
- Injuries and Fatigue: Injuries to LeBron and Davis continued to be a major factor in the team’s struggles. The Lakers were never able to field a fully healthy team, and even when their stars were on the floor, they were not able to execute consistently due to fatigue and physical limitations.
- Lack of Depth: The Lakers traded away several valuable role players to acquire Dončić, leaving their bench thin and underperforming. When the stars were off the floor, the team had few reliable options to carry the load, which led to significant scoring droughts and defensive breakdowns.
What Could Have Been: The “What If” Scenario
Looking back, there’s a sense of “what could have been” surrounding the trade for Luka Dončić. If the Lakers had been able to better integrate Dončić into their system, with LeBron playing a slightly diminished role and Davis staying healthier, they could have formed a dynamic trio capable of challenging the league’s best. However, the lack of cohesion and the numerous issues that arose have resulted in a failed experiment that may ultimately go down as one of the most disappointing moves in Lakers’ history.
A Missed Opportunity
The Lakers’ trade for Luka Dončić was initially seen as a game-changer, a move that could push the team back into championship contention. However, injuries, fit issues, and defensive struggles have led to a disappointing season, with the Lakers falling short of their title aspirations. As the team looks ahead, questions will inevitably arise about the future of Dončić in Los Angeles, and whether this move will be remembered as a missed opportunity or a bold attempt that ultimately didn’t work out. The Lakers’ journey to the top of the NBA has hit a significant roadblock, and they will need to make substantial changes if they hope to return to championship glory.
