The Lakers have a pivotal summer ahead in deciding which players to surround Luka Dončić with.
As the Lakers aim to transition fully into the Luka Dončić era, a crucial summer awaits that will determine which players should surround their new superstar. This evaluation will likely be based on the skillsets that best complemented him during his most successful moments in the NBA, along with what was revealed in the recent playoffs.
It all starts with the right ball screen partner. Every on-ball shot creator needs the right big man beside him on offense. Tyrese Haliburton with Myles Turner and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Chet Holmgren are a few pairings having major success.
It’s no secret that Dončić desires a big man alongside him who possesses very specific skill sets. The primary requirement is someone who can effectively operate above the rim as a lob catcher.
LA had Jaxson Hayes, a seven-foot center, who offensively played the theoretical role in the regular season. Watch below as he calls up Hayes to set the screen, and finds him for the alley oop.
Dončić attacks middle, and once he knows the defense doesn’t tag the roll man, or is late, the lob pass is coming over the top. Per NBA’s tracking data, Hayes and Dončić lineups posted an offensive rating of 116.5, while having a net rating of +8.3.
Hayes eventually lost all his trust from head coach J.J Redick and his staff as the playoffs revealed his inability to stay out of foul trouble and defend to a playable baseline. The center on a Dončić team. then, can’t simply jump off the floor for lobs. They need to be able to protect the rim and compensate for defensive mistakes that will undoubtedly occur.
Dončić experienced his greatest success in the league the prior season, supported by lob catchers Derek Lively and Daniel Gafford, who not only finished strong at the rim but also protected it effectively.
LA went into the playoffs with one viable center, and eventually pushed to play lineups containing only wings and guards, which were unable to stay on the floor defensively.
As much defensive improvement as one can hope Dončić can achieve, he will always need defensive protection, making who takes the center spot the most crucial component of the Lakers’ offseason.
Another clear area in surrounding any elite ball handler is requisite shooting. Following the Dončić trade, the Lakers were ninth in the league in 3-point percentage but fourth in attempts per game.
Any team with Dončić will create a high volume of good shots for the players surrounding. One key is Dončić doesn’t just pass to players, he passes to spots and areas on the floor. These spacial arrangements allow for him to pass at the last possible moment, after collapsing in the whole defense.
Watch below as Dončić attacks off the bounce into the paint, and leaves his feet for a wrap-around pass to Rui Hachimura for the corner three.
Dončić needs high-volume, willing shooters placed around him. LA’s five out group was highly effective to finish the season, posting a +18.6 net rating in the regular season. The shooting mixed with all the shot creation gave the Lakers optimism going into the playoffs.
In the postseason, however, that group struggled against the physicality and size of playoff basketball. The issue for the Lakers was not just having shooters, but also whether those shooters could be optimized and make an impact on the defensive end as well.
This comes to the Lakers next pressing need, an athletic player with high defensive impact. Walking the line in trying to find two-way players is difficult and is something all teams struggle with, but the LA will need to find more defensive balance to find success next season with Dončić.
During his Finals run in 2024, Dončić played alongside different defensive players, including one Derick Jones Jr., a player they tasked with guarding Anthony Edwards, showing the ability to not just stay in front but contest at the top.
Watch below as Edwards attempts to isolate at the top of the key, but Jones Jr “mirrors” him on offense, beating him to the spot and forcing him to give up the basketball.
Here’s another example demonstrated below in a late-game situation. Edwards attempts to create space off the bounce, but the 7-foot wingspan is able to challenge him at the top of his contest.
The Lakers don’t need to specifically go grab Jones Jr., but they absolutely need this level of archetype, not only to protect Dončić, but also for a lineup that will likely feature Austin Reaves and LeBron James, who will turn 41 in December.
The closest players the LA had to a defensive wing were Jared Vanderbilt and G-League breakout player Jordan Goodwin. Vanderbilt was unable to stay healthy or be trusted without fouling, and Goodwin was too inexperienced to be relied on heavily.
Dončić has shown that with the right pieces around him, he can lead a team to the promised land. The Lakers have a lot of work to do to build that roster this summer.