The Receipts Are Due

​By Mark

Yes, the receipts are due…still due. What receipts, you might ask. The receipts of all the trades in the LeBron James era are due and the price is inflating as we speak. Once the caveat of the league as far as treasure chest assets go, the Los Angeles Lakers are now paying the price of everything. It started off with one of the greatest acquisitions in Laker history in acquiring Anthony Davis at just the age of twenty-six, seemingly entering his prime and peak years. In that transaction with newly Pelicans General Manager, David Griffin, Robert Pelinka sent away multiple draft capital, swaps, and just about the entirety of the young core to the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis. But it was the correct move – the fair move – the winning move. 

​But that was just one-way Pelinka bowed to his committed towards superstar LeBron James. It was his league, it was his team, and it was Pelinka’s duty to commit and trade assets to win with James. And he did just that. Shortly after LA won the historic 2019-20 NBA championship, Pelinka did not stop trading picks and assets to win. He would trade a first-round pick to OKC for guard Dennis Schroder to bolster the Lakers third option scoring issues, which looking back in hindsight, some might find that move controversial, but in the moment of time, it was viewed as an excellent move picking up the runner up for the sixth-man of the year winner.

Then comes the following season, after the Lakers lost in the first round to the Suns due to injuries — the Westbrook trade. The trade that cost the Lakers everything in picks, role players, and infamously, letting Alex Caruso walk. Consequently, to get rid of the mistake you made and send Russ away, the Lakers had to give up another first round draft pick. Fast forward to this season, Pelinka gave up another first round pick to acquire Luka Doncic.

The issue here is that trading all of those draft assets and capital is something the Lakers will be indebted to for a long time. With a twenty-six-year-old Luka in their hands, they lack the draft capital to build a contending roster around Doncic, and truthfully, I am not sure if they will ever retain that draft capital and assets that once existed in LA. Luka has various needs such as perimeter defense, athletes on the perimeter, multiple big men who fit his style of play and match a specific archetype, and much more.

As of today, the draft capital the Lakers currently hold are the 2031 first round pick, a second-round pick, and pick swaps. While they do have multiple expiring contracts, they would need more capital to make significant roster changes to contend with the top contenders in the league. 

A Luka roster would typically need a two-guard who can guard to cover for Luka and show some flashes of offensive additives; a two-way wing; last, but not least, a big man who can roll, rebound, and protect the rim. Can the Lakers acquire all these needs with their current roster assets? I have my doubts. 

Look at OKC, the Knicks, the Pacers – these teams needed years upon years to acquire the right role players, chemistry, and talent to win. Under the new CBA, it is difficult to receive talent and hold onto talent for years. I am in hope that LA does not waste any gap years with Luka and find ways to get creative with their limited assets to try and win ASAP, meaning next season in 2025-26.