REALISTICALLY, it's great to be hopeful but up until this point the Lakers have NOT surrounded Luka and Lebron with the realistic STARTERS needed to win a championship this upcoming season. If you're a Lakers fan (Like I am) and you're being honest there are at least 7 other teams in the West that could get to the Finals outside of the Lakers. If you haven't already Please take a moment to reflect on this OkC ,HOU ,DEN ,LAC ,MIN ,DAL SAN.........................
If the Lakers truly wanted to go all in to win next yr. they would've used their lone tradable first round pick to get Cam Johnson, John Collins, or maybe even Andrew Wiggins.
The fact that the non-defensive Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura both surround James and Doncic should tell you everything that you need know about the Lakers realistic chances in the physical-Playoffs when it actually counts. Luka's finesse/non-contact style of play and Lebron's age worthy play is not complimented by the other three starters (majority minutes played players) on the team. Rui, Reaves, and Ayton do not have a history of doing the dirty work needed to surround their offensive savant/finesse leading players.
The recent teams that have won championships all had at least a couple starters outside of the main offensive players that provided great defense and did the dirty work needed to win it all:
Okc- JW, LD, CH, IH
BOS- JB, DW, DH
GS- DG, AW, KT
DEN- AG, BB, KCP
MIL- GA, JH, BL
An aging Lebron being the closest player to being an above average defensive player starting on the team will not bode well for the Lakers championship hopes next year. And literally doubling down on this idea by doubling Austin Reaves pay with a new contract will certainly waste Lebron's last productive years. Surrounding the defense lacking Luka (And Austin) with complimentary two-way starters will take years to get championship ready, not months. Years Lebron does not have to wait. Therefore the best decision for the Lakers and Lebron should be to trade him.
For the Lakers they would receive Karl Anthony Towns. An all-star, the greatest shooting big man ever, he would compliment Ayton playing the four or five spot, is locked in on a three year contract-same as Luka and fits the age profile of Luka. The Lakers will have the time that it ACTUALLY takes within three years to build a championship team around Luka, Kat, and AR.
For the Knicks they would receive Lebron James. A recent second-team all nba selection. A player that knows what it takes to win championships. A player that would fit seamlessly in their starting line up around the TWO-WAY DEFENSIVE TALENT of Bridges, Anunoby, and Robinson. A player that can share the offensive load allowing Brunson to have enough gas left in the tank to continue his dominance into the fourth quarter.
With this trade the knicks will have a team that is ready to WIN-NOW which is especially important because of the injuries that are set to plague the east best team this upcoming season.
With this trade the Lakers get a great championship puzzle piece back and buy themselves time to build their roster into a championship worthy team. For REAL Lebron fans this trade should be looked at as a win-win allowing Lebron-if he agrees to the trade-a REAL opportunity to win championship(s) to retire in glory, not another year of Lakers disappointment, the way he should go out!