The New Lakers Make No Sense

The Lakers went ALL IN this offseason… but did they actually get better?

Los Angeles gave Walker Kessler a massive four-year, $130 million deal while also sending Utah two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps. Then they gave Austin Reaves nearly $185 million, added Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, and moved up in the draft for Cameron Carr.

At the same time, LeBron James is gone after eight seasons, Deandre Ayton was traded to Washington, and Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart all moved on.

The Lakers clearly wanted to build a roster around Luka Doncic that would convince him Los Angeles is the place to stay long term — and I understand why. But when you look at the money and future draft capital they committed, there’s a legitimate question about whether this roster actually has a championship ceiling.

And if Luka eventually decides to leave anyway? Things could get ugly very quickly.