What Will the Los Angeles Lakers Lineup Look Like After the Luka Dončić Deal?

Before February 2, 2025, no one imagined that Luka Dončić would don the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers. The idea of the Dallas Mavericks trading their franchise cornerstone seemed impossible. However, in a shocking turn of events, the Lakers pulled off the most sensational trade in NBA history, sending Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for the Slovenian superstar.

With this move, the Lakers have secured one of the best players in the league while also preparing for life after LeBron James. The arrival of Dončić instantly makes the Lakers a formidable force, especially on the offensive end. In this article, we analyze the Lakers’ potential lineup for the remainder of the 2024/25 NBA season.

Projected Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup (Post-Trade)

PG: Luka Dončić
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: LeBron James
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Jaxson Hayes

How Luka Dončić Transforms the Lakers

Luka Dončić thrives when he has control of the ball, making him the undisputed starting point guard. His elite scoring and playmaking ability will elevate the Lakers’ offensive firepower, especially when paired with the high basketball IQ of LeBron James. Even at 40 years old, LeBron remains a dominant force, averaging 24 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. Meanwhile, Dončić, despite playing only 22 games in the 2024/25 season due to injury, has still posted impressive numbers: 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game.

Austin Reaves slots in as the shooting guard, bringing solid three-point shooting and off-ball movement. His aggressiveness and ability to complement both Dončić and LeBron make him a great fit in the backcourt.

Rui Hachimura steps into the power forward role, offering versatility on both ends of the floor. His scoring ability and defensive tenacity make him an invaluable asset in the starting five. However, the biggest question mark for the Lakers remains at the center position. With Anthony Davis gone, the Lakers lack a dominant rim protector. Unless they make another trade, Jaxson Hayes is expected to fill that role. While he is a serviceable player, he is not an ideal long-term solution.

Bench Depth and Key Rotations

The Lakers’ bench remains largely intact, featuring key players such as:

• Gabe Vincent

• Shake Milton

• Dalton Knecht

• Dorian Finney-Smith

• Jarred Vanderbilt

• Markieff Morris

These role players will be used in situational matchups, but none of them significantly impact the Lakers’ need for a strong center.

Can the Lakers Address Their Center Problem?

One of the Lakers’ biggest challenges post-trade is the lack of a true defensive anchor in the paint. Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood are not viable options at center, leaving the Lakers with a significant void. If the Chicago Bulls make Nikola Vučević available, the Lakers could aggressively pursue a deal to strengthen their interior defense.

Final Thoughts

The addition of Luka Dončić propels the Los Angeles Lakers into serious title contention. His presence, combined with LeBron James’ leadership, makes the Lakers one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the NBA. However, their championship aspirations hinge on whether they can find a reliable center to replace Anthony Davis. If they can address this issue, the Lakers could very well dominate the Western Conference and make a deep playoff run in the 2024/25 season.