In a surprising twist, the Los Angeles Lakers’ aspirations of landing a third All-Star to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis might face a significant hurdle. The recent firing of Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has introduced new dynamics that could impact the Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason plans.
The Big Three Approach: A Double-Edged Sword
The Los Angeles Lakers have the assets—three first-round draft picks and several valuable veterans on tradeable contracts—to pursue another “Big Three” approach. However, this strategy might not align well with keeping a 39-year-old LeBron James for the long haul.
LeBron’s tenure with the Miami Heat demonstrated how a team could thrive with minimal contracts and discounted veterans, thanks to the two-way excellence of James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Similarly, the Cleveland Cavaliers benefited from Kyrie Irving’s rookie-scale deal, allowing them to surround their trio with quality veterans.
But the current scenario in Los Angeles is different. LeBron is no longer the two-way force he once was, and Anthony Davis’ offensive limitations due to his lack of a consistent jumper pose challenges. Adding a new All-Star could push the Los Angeles Lakers into a financial model reminiscent of the Heat era, which might not be sustainable.
Donovan Mitchell’s Future with the Cavs
On a recent episode of “Run It Back,” FanDuel TV’s Shams Charania shed light on how Bickerstaff’s departure could influence Donovan Mitchell‘s future. Charania revealed that the Cavaliers are optimistic about securing Mitchell’s long-term commitment now that they are in search of a new head coach.
Implications for the Los Angeles Lakers
This development is a potential blow to the Los Angeles Lakers’ plans. Mitchell was considered a top trade target for the team, which has been seeking to bolster its roster with another All-Star. The news that Mitchell might commit to a long-term deal with the Cavaliers complicates the Lakers’ pursuit and forces them to reassess their strategy.
With Kenny Atkinson and James Borrego now vying for the Cavs’ head coach position, the Lakers not only face competition for coaching talent but also lose leverage in negotiations for Mitchell.
Looking Ahead
The Los Angeles Lakers’ quest for a third All-Star to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis faces significant challenges. The firing of J.B. Bickerstaff and the subsequent optimism in Cleveland about retaining Donovan Mitchell could thwart the Lakers’ ambitions. As the offseason progresses, it remains to be seen how the Lakers will navigate these hurdles and what adjustments they will make to strengthen their roster.
