The Los Angeles Lakers made waves last February with a blockbuster trade that brought Luka Doncic to Hollywood. Fast forward a year, and the organization is fully committed to building a championship-caliber team around their star. But Doncic, now 26, is eager for progress and isn't keen on a slow rebuild.
Doncic has made it clear to Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick that he's in no mood for a leisurely pace in constructing a contender. This urgency is understandable, given the immense potential of pairing Doncic with Austin Reaves and LeBron James. Yet, despite the excitement surrounding this trio, they've only shared the court for 12 games this season, and the results are a mixed bag.
The Lakers have gone 8-4 in those outings, but the losses have all come against top-tier teams like the Spurs, Rockets, Celtics, and Suns, each by double digits. This pattern is concerning as the season progresses.
Doncic himself acknowledged the challenges, saying after a tough loss to the Celtics, "We're not there yet. We're working on it. But there should be big potential with us three playing together."
With nearly a year together, questions arise about why the chemistry hasn't fully gelled. As the regular season approaches its climax, the clock is ticking for Reaves, Doncic, and James to find their rhythm.
While the Lakers have managed to handle lesser opponents, their struggles against elite teams highlight the ongoing need for the trio to develop consistent chemistry. It's a storyline worth watching as the playoffs loom, and the Lakers aim to translate potential into performance.