“Don’t Think Lakers Win Another Championship with LeBron James”: Jalen Rose Gives Honest Opinion Post Luka Doncic Trade

On NBA TV, Jalen Rose discussed the blockbuster trade that landed Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. While much has been said about the Mavericks’ decision to part ways with the Slovenian superstar, Rose shared his perspective on how the rest of the Lakers’ season will look. 

“Watching him with LeBron [James] this year is gonna be great,” the 2000 Most Improved Player said. “They gotta figure out, like, who’s gonna be the primary ball-handler, they gotta make each other look good.”

The biggest question surrounding Doncic’s fit in LA is whether he and James will learn to be effective off the ball. With the Lakers’ two best players now being ball-dominant playmakers, both superstars will have to acclimatize to playing alongside each other. But Rose is optimistic that their high basketball IQs will speed up the process under JJ Redick. 

“Ultimately, they are two of the most intelligent players to ever play the game. Two of the most versatile players to ever play the game. They’re gonna make each other better. But for the Lakers, it’s not about winning a championship this year. For the Lakers, it’s about being relevant. I don’t think they win another championship with LeBron [James],” Rose added.

The former Indiana Pacer argued that this trade secures the Lakers’ future, though it might not result in immediate success. One of the big reasons for the uncertainty around their ability to contend is their lack of frontcourt depth. While fans expect Rob Pelinka to make another trade before the deadline to bring a center into the rotation, former NBA players are still bullish about LA’s title odds following the departure of Anthony Davis.

NBA analysts share their concerns about the Doncic trade

Jalen Rose isn’t alone in his opinion that the Lakers’ championship window with LeBron has closed. After all, the roster was tooled around the partnership between the King and the Brow. In fact, Charles Barkley believes that the trade might signify the end of the James era in LA. 

“LeBron is on his last legs. Let’s start getting us a star for the future,” Chuck said about the Lakers’ perspective. “This thing is not gonna be smooth in LA with him [Doncic] and LeBron. ‘Cause both of ‘em want the ball 100% of the time. ‘Cause, you know, Luka doesn’t move without the ball, LeBron doesn’t move without the ball. There’s gonna be some serious growing pains when those two try to play together.”

While Barkley echoed many of the same concerns as Rose, some other NBA legends are far more critical of the move on LA’s side. Paul Pierce, who is faithful to the Lakers’ biggest rivals (the Celtics), believes that, even without LeBron, Luka will struggle to find success with the Purple and Gold.

“He not the super star La needs doesn’t fit the mold Magic Kobe Shaq LeBron just saying tho bad Move,” the Truth tweeted on Saturday night. 

The only way in which Doncic differs drastically from the previous Lakers’ superstars is in his style of play. Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and even LeBron, were all above average athletes at their position, and they used that to their advantage throughout their careers.

However, Luka’s pace of play has never stopped him from finding team success during the regular season or postseason thus far. He is undoubtedly built for the bright lights and whenever the Lakers get to building around him, we are likely going to be in store for a modern iteration of Showtime.