The Los Angeles Lakers were exposed in the first round of the postseason.
The organization’s current roster doesn’t possess a stable big man with enticing two-way capabilities, which the Minnesota Timberwolves exploited.
In the final game of the series, Rudy Gobert couldn’t be contained in the paint.
From catching lobs to cleaning up his teammates’ misses on the offensive end, the 32-year-old veteran had a field day against the undersized Lakers in a closeout scenario.
Gobert finished the contest with 27 points, 24 rebounds, and two blocks in Minnesota’s crucial 103-96 victory over Los Angeles, helping the Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
According to a popular sports analyst, the Lakers' devastating end to the 2024-25 campaign should motivate them to trade Luka Doncic to the Dallas Mavericks for a 6-foot-10 star big man.
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“I had a revelation, I had a eureka moment in my man cave as I watched the clock tick down on 103-96,” Skip Bayless said on his podcast Thursday.
“I thought, you know what the Lakers should do? They should trade for Anthony Davis. They should offer Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Maybe they can offer Luka and Maxi Kleber…that’s just what the Lakers need.”
“They need to trade for Anthony Davis. Because if they had had Anthony Davis, they would have won this series.”
It’s doubtful a Davis and Anthony midseason swap was on anyone’s bingo card during the trade season.
However, with Los Angeles growing weary of Davis’ injury-prone ways and the Mavericks prioritizing defense, the two franchises completed a historic blockbuster deal on Feb. 2.
Many were initially prepared to conclude that the Lakers won the trade. Once Doncic settled in and found his groove alongside LeBron James, he helped Los Angeles secure the No. 3 seed in the crowded Western Conference.
Unfortunately, a deep playoff run didn’t materialize for the organization. To Bayless’ point, there’s a good chance their opening round playoff series would have played out differently if Los Angeles had retained Davis.
Davis’ polished ball screen skills, face-up ability in the low post, and natural shot-blocking instincts were undervalued when the NBA champion forward competed with the Lakers.
Bayless has the correct mindset as the Lakers enter free agency; Los Angeles can’t move forward without landing an impactful big man like Davis.
Still, why not attempt to retain Doncic in a potential reunion with Davis? The established superstar has his share of flaws, but pairing him with Davis in Los Angeles and forming a formidable pick-and-roll duo is the more viable option.
More importantly, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison believes he made the correct choice parting with Doncic earlier this season, requiring Los Angeles to center a trade package around an asset like Austin Reaves to jumpstart an offseason deal.
The Lakers and Mavericks could be in the mood to set the NBA world on fire again this summer.
More NBA: Lakers predicted to part with Luka Doncic, reunite with $117 million three-time All-Star