Have the Lakers Become an NBA Championship Contender?

Luka Doncic #77 and Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Every week, Mark Medina shares his thoughts and insights on the latest NBA topics for RG. In this installment, he gives his take on whether the Lakers can win an NBA championship.

Though their storied championship history always defines their mission statement, the Los Angeles Lakers conceded uncertainty on whether they could actually win an NBA championship.

Lakers coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka acknowledged those feelings before the 2024–25 season started. Lakers star LeBron James maintained that stance when he turned 40 years old on Dec. 30, 2024.

A Seismic Shift: Dončić Joins the Lakers

Just over four months later, however, the Lakers enter the NBA playoffs harboring a much different sentiment. After following up their Western Conference Finals appearance two years ago with a first-round exit last year, the Lakers have become a dramatically different team.

“We added Luka Dončić,” Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “That’s a big difference.”

But is it enough to win an NBA championship this season? Pelinka may have called it a “seismic event in NBA history” for the Lakers to acquire a generational international talent (Dončić) and two rotational forwards (Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris) from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for an elite defender (Anthony Davis), a young role player (Max Christie), and a first-round pick (2029). But that’s because the Lakers found their next generational star following LeBron James’ retirement for relatively little in return. Even then, the Lakers only projected an NBA title run in the future, not in the present.

Well, that championship window opened a bit early. The Lakers (50–32) secured the No. 3 seed for a first-round matchup against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (49–33). Dončić has shed concerns about his conditioning. James has reduced Father Time’s touch after missing two weeks with a strained left groin. Together, they’ve reduced any questions on if they could share scoring and playmaking duties without diluting the other player’s greatness. Together, Dončić has averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, while James has averaged 23.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

“They’ve done a good job of figuring that out on the fly,” Redick said.

Reaves’ Rise and a New Rotation

That’s not the only reason the Lakers have a chance to win their 17th NBA championship. Since their blockbuster trade, the Lakers have done a good job with figuring out other important developments on the fly.

In his fourth season with the Lakers, guard Austin Reaves has grown into an All-Star caliber player experiencing organic growth as an undrafted prospect and a reliable role player.

Officially, the Lakers dealt their inconsistent point guard (D’Angelo Russell) in late December to the Brooklyn Nets for a proven perimeter shooter and defender (Dorian Finney-Smith). Unofficially, the deal also enabled Reaves to assume more playmaking and shooting responsibilities. After the Lakers’ more significant trade, the Lakers’ offense primarily centered around Dončić and James. That dynamic didn’t diminish Reaves’ stature, though. It has only grown with increased scoring (career-high 20.2 points per game), passing (career-high 5.8 assists per game), and leadership.

Defense by Committee

That growth coincided with the Lakers also learning to defend on the fly to compensate for Davis’ absence. Instead of becoming a liability that would limit the Lakers’ championship chances, they have only enhanced it.

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has excelled as a lob threat and a rim protector while minimizing his fouls. Vanderbilt has stayed mostly healthy since missing the first half of the season to recover from offseason procedures on both of his feet. What the Lakers lack in frontcourt depth, they have made up for with small-ball lineups. Most importantly, the Lakers have defended as if their championship chances depend on it.

“It starts with playing hard,” Redick said. “I think LeBron throughout the year has just been a real leader on that end of the floor for us. And I just think the buy-in to what schematically we’re doing, the game plan we’re giving them, has been really good.”

Will that be enough to win an NBA title?

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers all boast better depth. But the Lakers have a proven formula with two healthy stars that know how to coexist (James, Dončić), a consistent third star (Reaves), and a proven defense. That should be enough to beat Minnesota easily. That could be enough to challenge Houston or Golden State. That could be enough to make enough adjustments against OKC, Boston, or Cleveland. Unlike during training camp and their early-season inconsistency, the Lakers enter the playoffs with justified confidence they can hoist another NBA championship trophy.