Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal

Unlike the Utah Jazz, nobody should expect the Los Angeles Lakers to look like a rebuilding team this summer. No team with LeBron James on their roster is likely to go that route.

Sure, The King is 37. He’s still producing on the level that earned him his illustrious nickname. The Lakers’ title window is both short and narrow, but as long as James looks like James, it’s open.

This deal finds the organization prying it open a little further. Conley, in stark contrast to Westbrook, should be the perfect point guard for James. He’s an elite floor-spacer that can make plays for himself and others.

Speaking of elite floor-spacing, Bogdanovic also provides it. That happens to be something the Lakers were desperately missing last season. All told, this deal puts the team an Anthony Davis comeback away from serious title contention in 2022-23.

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Realistically, that’s something they’ll need to contend no matter what roster moves they make.