Rumors suggest Lakers might finally get smart and ignore a common LeBron problem https://t.co/pFpf9GOo9j
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 5, 2024
Jovan Buha discussed the team’s summer planning on the May 2 episode of The Athletic’s NBA Show. See his quote below.
“The Lakers have pushed back in recent weeks and months on the notion of going down the three-star build path, so we’ll see how that all shakes out. I think LeBron James will have a say in that.”
Rob Pelinka and the front office went for depth at the 2023 trade deadline and it helped them turn their season around. The Lakers surprisingly reached the conference finals with a deep group playing well together. They only had two stars when they won the championship in the bubble, but LeBron and AD were supported by a strong cast of role players. That model has proven successful, but King James likely has other ideas.
LeBron James prefers having 2 co-stars
LeBron pushed for the Lakers to add a third star when they acquired Westbrook. He had success using that formula in Miami and Cleveland, but it has not worked in LA.
Acquiring a third star will gut an already shallow team. The Lakers had nowhere to turn in their first-round playoff series against Denver. If they have to trade Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves to get a third star, their head coach will be stuck playing his starting five every minute in the playoffs.
Los Angeles cannot rely on minimum signings to play massive minutes. It has not worked. They need players like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Alex Caruso filling roles like they did on their 2020 title team.
There will likely be a power struggle this offseason. Does LeBron James win out and convince the Lakers to acquire a third star? The franchise must keep him happy, but should not do it over building a contending roster. Adding two or three quality pieces won’t be easy, but is LA’s easiest path to title contention.
LeBron James often gets what he wants. He certainly desires more talent around him and Anthony Davis. Do the Los Angeles Lakers add a third star like Trae Young? It would be a mistake, but fans may finally get to see who is calling the shots in LA.
Jovan Buha îs more often wrong than he is right…however he always gets coverage when he posts anything. And Trae Young is not the answer…he talks like a baby….
Totally
Buha hasn’t “X”ed any blurb for three days…he must be on his post season sabbatical…I just can’t wait to hear what pearls of wisdom he speaks out upon his return from the mountain or Cancun….
I’m against private jets for the same reason – neither of us can afford one.