The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are lower than a month faraway from the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis commerce, and it’s nonetheless one of the crucial talked about occasions within the NBA.
This deal was one of many largest in league historical past when trying on the star energy concerned, inflicting a ripple impact throughout the NBA.
Many imagine this immediately made the Lakers higher, as Luka Doncic has been top-of-the-line gamers within the league for a number of years.
Others aren’t so positive, nevertheless, together with Charles Barkley, who gave his reasoning on the NBA on TNT.
“I don’t think [the Lakers] are a contender,” Barkley stated, including that Doncic is an “upgrade,” however doesn’t add sufficient of a lift for the Lakers to be efficient within the Western Convention.
“I don’t think [the Lakers] are a contender. ”
Chuck thinks Luka is an “upgrade”, however nonetheless not sufficient for LA to be thought of a menace within the West. pic.twitter.com/8Ro4cSTp5h
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 28, 2025
The West has been weaker than the East for just a few years, because it’s been less-top heavy, however that doesn’t look like the case this 12 months.
A number of groups within the West have emerged as potential contenders, together with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who’ve been nothing in need of dominant.
The Lakers do have James and Doncic, which has the makings of a dynamic duo, however Barkley isn’t satisfied that they’ve what it takes to win all of it.
There’s a purpose why All-Star groups fail extra typically than they succeed, and Barkley could possibly be frightened in regards to the Lakers not having an id with these two juggernauts on the identical roster.
Solely time will inform how this case will shake out, and the way nicely the Lakers will play down the stretch.
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