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LeBron James still has not announced where he will spend his 24th NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers do not appear interested in waiting for the answer.
James told the organization earlier this offseason that he would continue his career elsewhere. That created a massive hole in the Lakers’ lineup, but it also gave them some clarity. This is Luka Doncic’s team now. Everyone around him must fit that reality.
Los Angeles cannot replace James with one signing. There is only one LeBron, for better or worse, and another one is not walking through the door on a veteran-minimum contract.
The Lakers are taking a different approach. They are collecting young, athletic players who can handle smaller assignments around Doncic.
That explains the recent additions of Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Arthur Kaluma.
Lakers are placing defenders around Luka Doncic
Thybulle is the easiest addition to understand.
The 29-year-old is a two-time All-Defensive second-team selection and remains a disruptive perimeter defender. He averaged two steals in only 16 minutes per game last season. Doncic will carry an enormous offensive workload, so placing a proven defender beside him is hardly advanced calculus.
Thybulle’s offense has always been the concern. Opponents have been perfectly happy to leave him open and see what happens. Lately, that strategy has become a little more dangerous. He shot 41.1% from three-point range over his final two seasons with Portland.
Los Angeles does not need him to become Klay Thompson. It needs him to make enough open shots to remain playable.
Williams is the more intriguing gamble.
The former No. 10 overall pick averaged a career-high 10.2 points for the Brooklyn Nets last season while making 45 starts. He has not lived up to his draft position, but he is also just 24 years old. At 6-foot-9, Williams gives the Lakers another long wing who can run the floor and finish chances created by Doncic.
For roughly $3 million, there is little downside. If Williams finally puts everything together, Los Angeles found a useful rotation player for almost nothing. If he does not, it was a one-year experiment, not a marriage.
Arthur Kaluma earned a closer look
Kaluma may never become a regular contributor, but his Summer League performance forced the Lakers to pay attention.
He averaged 17.3 points while shooting 55.1% from the field and nearly 39% from three. His best performance came against the Dallas Mavericks, when he scored 34 points.
Summer League statistics should come with a warning label. Plenty of July stars disappear before Halloween. Still, Kaluma played his way into a two-way contract and will get an opportunity to prove the production was more than a hot week in Las Vegas.
The Lakers may not be finished, either. They have explored a deal involving Jonathan Kuminga, although those conversations have reportedly stalled. Even that interest follows the same theme. Los Angeles wants youth, length and athleticism around Doncic.
Thybulle, Williams and Kaluma will not replace everything James provided. That is not the assignment.
Lakers are replacing LeBron James by committee
The Lakers are breaking one enormous job into several smaller ones. Doncic will run the offense. Thybulle can defend opposing scorers. Williams adds size and some scoring potential. Kaluma gets a chance to become the next inexpensive surprise.
Life after James will feel strange in Los Angeles. The Lakers are not making one dramatic move to begin it.
They are doing it one small move at a time.
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