The Los Angeles Lakers may have the right roster to contend for a title as early as this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have completed another surprise transaction before the 2025 NBA trade deadline, acquiring 23-year-old Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and two first-round choices. It demonstrates that the organization is already committed to developing around Luka Doncic, with Williams fitting the archetype of center Doncic was successful with on the Dallas Mavericks last season.
This move may have lost Knecht’s shooting potential when paired with two of the best perimeter creators in NBA history, LeBron James and Luka. However, it is a large risk that Mark Williams will stay healthy after playing only 85 games in his first three seasons. Otherwise, his skill set could be just what the new-look Lakers need.
Let’s take a look at the new Lakers rotation when this deal is completed.
Starting Lineup
Starters: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Mark Williams
With the addition of Mark Williams, the Lakers may have filled their roster’s biggest hole. Despite Rob Pelinka’s statement that they may wait until the summer to address their center position after dealing Anthony Davis, he has moved quickly to sign Williams as their center of the future. The 23-year-old big man is a mobile rim protector, an aggressive rebounder, and an offensive standout with rim finishes.
Given how Doncic upgraded Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in Dallas, this is a move that will boost everyone’s confidence. It fills the one big vacancy on their squad with what is likely the greatest trade market option available. Other associated bigs, such as Walker Kessler and Myles Turner, do not have the same skill level as Williams, who has proved to thrive alongside Doncic.
The rest of the lineup remains same, since Reaves, Hachimura, and LeBron have been season-long starters for the Lakers. Reaves adds offensive diversity to Doncic’s lineup and has the potential for a very effective two-man game with Luka given Doncic’s experience with high-scoring guards.
Williams and Luka have addressed Hachimura’s main problem, rebounding.
Given how Doncic upgraded Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in Dallas, this is a move that will boost everyone’s confidence. It fills the one big vacancy on their squad with what is likely the greatest trade market option available. Other associated bigs, such as Walker Kessler and Myles Turner, do not have the same skill level as Williams, who has proved to thrive alongside Doncic.
The rest of the lineup remains same, since Reaves, Hachimura, and LeBron have been season-long starters for the Lakers. Reaves adds offensive diversity to Doncic’s lineup and has the potential for a very effective two-man game with Luka given Doncic’s experience with high-scoring guards.
Williams, Luka, and LeBron have addressed Hachimura’s biggest issue, which was rebounding. He must concentrate on being a plus-defender on the wing or he will be the only one at risk of losing his starting berth to the advancing Dorian Finney-Smith.
Reserves
Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt, Shake Milton, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, Christian Wood, Bronny James, Trey Jemison (two-way), Christian Koloko (two-way), and Armel Traore.
Not much changes about the outlook of the bench outside an apparent dearth of shooting experts. None of the players on the bench are consistent 40% shooters, therefore there might be a huge offensive issue that the second rotation could struggle to fulfill. The solution is likely to stagger Luka and LeBron so that one of them is always on the court to maximize success.
Given their poor offensive performances, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt might easily be defensive specialists. Dorian Finney-Smith is a highly productive shooter who has been streaky in Los Angeles; nevertheless, reconnecting with Luka Doncic should lead to a lot more success.
Christian Wood is currently injured, but the Lakers may be banking on him to recover and provide as a center option in all-offense combinations, as he averaged more than 17 points the last time he played with Doncic. Jaxson Hayes will be a more consistent option alongside Doncic given that he can run the floor and grab lobs at a respectable rate.
Shake Milton and Markieff Morris do not appear to provide playable worth this season, and Maxi Kleber is already in trade talks despite being unlikely to play again in the regular season due to a foot fracture.
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