Can This LA Duo Repeat Like in Past Laker Eras?

By: Devin Zanskas

The Los Angeles Lakers capped off the longest season in NBA history with the perfect storybook ending. After the tragic passing of Laker legend, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis honored their late, great former Team USA teammate in the best way possible. They led the Lakers to their 18th NBA championship, which ties them with the Boston Celtics for the most titles in the association. The 18th championship wasn’t a shock to most NBA fans, as the Lakers were at the very least considered one of the distinct top 3 championship contenders in the league. Having LeBron James and Anthony Davis alone with do that, and the most recent title confirms this notion. Although the now four-time NBA Finals MVP proves that he may be closer to basketball immorality than anyone ever before, father time has an even better track record. Additionally, Davis is another LeBron groin injury away from being back in a situation similar to the one he left with the New Orleans Pelicans.

One of the common discussions surrounding this Lakers team during the season and particularly this title run was “who would prove to be their third best player?” Kyle Kuzma is the flashiest name of bunch, but in his third year he experienced career lows in just about every category, which could’ve been predicted since Davis insists on playing next to a center. Danny Green was an early, top candidate, earning the third highest annual salary on the roster and being the third best starter in the regular season. However, the 3 and D wing’s 3-point shooting percentage came back down to earth from a career-high 45.5% the season before to 36.7%. This is still respectable, but his offensive game is limited once he puts the ball on the deck. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came to life a bit in the playoffs, filling in for Avery Bradley after he opted out of the NBA Bubble due to his son being at high-risk for COVID-19, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Caldwell-Pope started all 21 playoff games for the Lakers, proving to be another reliable 3 and D wing, shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc in the playoffs. Playoff Rondo and a rejuvenated Dwight Howard taking the starting center spot late in the postseason are worthy of mention as well, but clearly any of these aforementioned players are miscast if presented with the role of the third banana on a championship team.

That last point speaks to how impressive LeBron’s longevity and Davis’s impact on both ends of the court is. When comparing LeBron’s latest title-winning supporting cast to others, beyond the all-stars the talent level is quite similar, including plenty of aging veterans past their primes. However, this Lakers team only fielded two all-stars as opposed to three, and have limited flexibility to add another all-star. Assuming the salary cap stays the same next year, Davis’s max. contract will be $32,743,000 in the first year. Also, assuming the rookie-scale contracts remain the same from last year for each first-round pick, the no. 28 pick will be $1,964,760 in the first year if the Lakers keep it. That alone puts the Lakers slightly above the cap. This will only allow them to use their Early or Non-Bird exceptions, one of, but not both of the $9,258,000 Non-Taxpayer MLE or the $3,623,000 BAE, and the minimum player salary exception. This leaves LA with the ability to improve, but only on the fringes and not in a material way to protect themselves in the event that a superstar goes down.

 

About the Author Devin Zanskas:

Devin Zanskas is a 23-year-old and who was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from UW-Milwaukee in May 2020 with Bachelors of Business Administration, majoring in Finance and minoring in German Business. Currently, he works for MillerCoors as a Payroll Analyst in their Finance Department. Upon completion of Sports Business Classroom 2020, Devin launched “Knuck If You Buck”, the Milwaukee Bucks Podcast brought to you by the Hoop Heads Podcast Network. When Devin is not working, writing, podcasting, watching NBA games, hoopin’ in his driveway, or playing NBA 2K, he prefers to spend his time with his family and friends, exercising, going on hikes, watching the Sopranos or Avatar: the Last Airbender for a throwback, and listening to anything from Simon & Garfunkel to A Tribe Called Quest and anywhere in between.