Look through the annals of the NBA for the worst rosters to ever make an NBA Finals, and the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers from 2006-2007 would come to the forefront sooner rather than later. Name wise and reputation wise, that roster was void of a big name outside of James - Daniel Gibson, Larry Hughes, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones.
But what that team did have, which enabled them to be successful, were specialty players that fit with the playmaking and unselfish James. Gibson was a three point specialist, as were Jones and Marshall. Hughes could create for himself, and Varejao and Ilgauskas gave you some toughness inside. A remarkable feat by James that year to get that team to the Finals, he elevated the play of his teammates.
It wasn't until the summer of 2010 that James was paired with two other stars - the Big 3 in Miami comprised of himself, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Since then, he has played with all-star talent, from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland to the present in Los Angeles where he will team with Anthony Davis for the 2019-2020 season. Since acquiring Davis, there have been daily rumors and speculation about who may join them with the Lakers. Kawhi Leonard? Jimmy Butler? Kemba Walker? The Lakers are a marquee franchise with marquee names, so, naturally, speculation about who they will end up with starts with the league's big names.
Marc Stein reported yesterday that the Lakers feel they have a chance at Leonard, and Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers want Kyrie Irving to go to the Brooklyn Nets so that the Lakers can reacquire DeAngelo Russell. Obviously, if the Lakers can get their hands on a big fish, they should jump at the opportunity. But, beyond that, they shouldn't look to, or feel the need to, break the bank with a big name player if they do not need to.
There are a few reasons for this. One, the Golden State Warriors won't be the same next season, and maybe beyond. A Laker duo of James and Davis, surrounded by capable role players, will be enough to get the job done next year. Kevin Durant, as we all know, has a torn Achilles that will keep him out all of next season, and Klay Thompson has a torn ACL that will keep him out most, if not all, of next season. Durant has declined his $31.5 million option with the Warriors, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski today. Nick Friedell, who also covers the Warriors for ESPN, says that Thompson is keen on a 5 year, $191 million deal to return to the Golden State. Regardless of what happens in free agency, the Warriors will not be the same super force next season that they have been over the past five seasons, and it will mean that the Lakers don't need to break the bank in order to add a third star and diminish their collection of role players.
The Lakers also have a luxury that no other team will have heading into next season: two top five players in the league on the same team. James and Davis can carry them. Danny Green, a freshly crowned NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, is an unrestricted free agent, and - if Leonard were to head home to the Los Angeles Clippers and Smith was not acquired by the Lakers -would be an ideal fit. On top of being the perfect compliment to a pass-first guy like James, Green was a prior teammate of James' with the Cavaliers. Rajon Rondo, who is an unrestricted free agent after his 1 year, $9 million deal signed last summer with the Lakers, proved last year that he is both a great floor general and leader. As a bonus, Rondo also proved to be the perfect point guard for Anthony Davis during the 2017-2018 season - when the New Orleans Pelicans swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round - so there is familiarity and chemistry there. Javale McGee, who is also a free agent, would be a nice compliment to Davis as a defensive minded, rim running center.
The Lakers could opt, as a better option, for the Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton. Middleton, 27, is coming off his first ever all-star selection, and is one of the best shooters in basketball as well as a solid wing defender. He earned $13 million last season in Milwaukee, and while some believe he is worth the max, he should be a less pricey option for the Lakers while they still land an all-star level player.
If Middleton were to command max money and resign with the Bucks, the could Lakers target Russell, another all-star who wouldn't leave them cap strapped.
The key for the Lakers, in my view, is to not break the bank for one big name, potentially leaving the rest of your roster barren. They need to spend wiseley and build a strong collection of talent around James and Davis. If no third star, a guy like Rondo would suffice as their starting point guard. He has championship experience, and plays up to the competition.
The Lakers are now the big bad wolf that the Warriors were, so there is no need for them to spend, if not needed, on a third superstar.
James and Davis leading the charge can get you to where you want to be.
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