The basketball world witnessed the biggest trade in the NBA history, when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis. Since the trade, the Lakers have surged to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, riding an impressive seven-game win streak. With Doncic putting up 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, Lakers fans are buzzing with excitement. But the big question remains: Are the Lakers now legitimate championship contenders?
The Luka Doncic effect
Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles has formed one of the most electrifying duos in the NBA alongside LeBron James. Both players thrive as primary ball handlers, but their high basketball IQs allow them to complement each other rather than clash.
LeBron, at 40 years old, is still playing at an elite level but now has a superstar co-star who can take over when needed. The chemistry between the two has been seamless, making the Lakers an offensive powerhouse.
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins in his recent appearance said, “Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA… All the fans around the world who probably was in and out when it came down to what’s going to happen in June, they’re committed, they’re all in. And when you have ‘Showtime’ back in L.A., now all of a sudden, the excitement, the energy and everything else is back towards the NBA.”
However, losing Davis meant giving up a dominant defensive presence, but the Lakers gained a generational offensive talent, which is proving to be a game-changing strategy, that the franchise needed in this season.
With their No. 2 seed in the West and an elite Luka Doncic-LeBron James duo, the Lakers are without a doubt contenders. However, their path to a championship won’t be easy. The OKC Thunder (ranked no.1) and the Golden State Warriors (ranked no.6) quickly making their way up in the conference after acquiring Jimmy Butler, remains a key threat for the Lakers on their way to the 2024-25 NBA Championship.
The Mavericks’ gamble
On the other side of the trade, the Dallas Mavericks paired Davis with Kyrie Irving in hopes of forming a dominant inside-outside duo. And their dominance was clearly visible during Davis’ debut game against the Houston Rockets, where the 6’10 tall star dropped 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. But things haven’t gone as planned for them.
In his match against the Rockets, Davis suffered an injury in the fourth quarter and has been sidelined since. While Kyrie tried to carry the team alone, he suffered an ACL tear on Monday, ruling him out for the rest of the season. In an interview with the ESPN, Kyrie said, “Just wanted to let you guys know that I’m OK and I will be OK moving forward. It does suck. A lot. I ain’t going to lie to you guys. This one stings for sure.”
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With no definitive timeline for Davis’s return and now Kyrie out for the season, the Mavs’ are in some serious trouble, and if they are still aiming to for the championship, then Mavs’ young core must step up as underdogs of the league.
Ojus, the founder of Swish and Slams, brings over 12 years of experience as a basketball player to the table. His love for the game and his passion for sharing knowledge led him to create this platform.
With Swish and Slams, He aims to provide fans with a trusted and informative source of basketball news. His expertise and dedication ensure that the content delivered is accurate, engaging, and relevant to the basketball community.
