Is the Lakers strengthening enough this summer? The answer seems to be self-evident

For six consecutive offseasons, the question from Southern California about the most popular NBA team is always: "Is the Lakers' reinforcement enough to meet LeBron James' needs?"

After all, since joining the Lakers as a free agent in July 2018, James has become the core driver of the team - his desire to increase his individual championship ring is self-evident, and the team is eager to regain the championship flag. The first season of collaboration was far from expected: the record of 37 wins and 45 losses was James' worst performance since his rookie season, and it was his first time in his career to miss the playoffs.

Every fall since then, the core question has always been consistent: Have the Lakers been prepared to improve their competitiveness and help James chase another championship? The results were mixed: they won the Orlando Park in 2020, reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023, but completely missed the playoffs in 2022, and ended in the first round three times in 2021, 2024 and last season.

And this summer, the problem itself has changed qualitatively.

Now people are asking: "Is the Lakers' reinforcement enough to attract Luca Doncic?"

Initially speaking, the answer seems to be yes.

No one is in a hurry to ask James to leave. Even if he is about to turn 41, the four-time champion and four-time MVP winner is still one of the most efficient players in the league. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game, and was selected as the All-Star for the 21st time, ranking sixth in the MVP selection - he led the Lakers to 50 wins and was selected into the second team of the All-Squad.

Old Man Time has not defeated him yet, but this "old guy" is still unstoppable. What we see now is how he reshapes the narrative chapter of James/Lakes. LeBron has become an indispensable part of the Lakers legend. As a superstar introduced by the team, he and Chamberlain, Jabbar and O'Neal write the glorious history of the Purple and Gold Army, and complement the legends trained by themselves such as Elkin Baylor, Jerry West and Kobe.

However, the story of the Lakers now and future will be written by Doncic. Especially in the past week, this trend has become increasingly obvious after seeing the change in the Slovenian star's body shape sparked heated discussion. According to the cover and report of Men's Health magazine, and his status as he participated in brand promotions in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles - this new version of Doncic looks stronger, healthier, with significantly lower body fat and probably more lethal. In the 2025-26 season, he may make the Dallas Mavericks and many doubters pay the price. The Mavericks made a decision in February this year shocked the entire basketball world. Four weeks before Doncic's 26th birthday, they traded the only NBA team he has played for since without knowing it. And those doubters, both inside and outsiders, are leaking news or joking about the so-called reason for the transaction: Doncic's failure to maintain his best body shape has caused him to be vulnerable to injuries, limiting his potential, and possibly even affecting his career as a dominant superstar.

Whether Doncic naturally began to focus on self-management as his career entered the middle, or whether this deal and rumors prompted him to make changes, the stage seems to be set: this five-time Best Team, 2023-24 scoring leader, and 89 triple-double in his career, is ready to welcome his most glorious season so far.

For many basketball superstars and even athletes in all sports, strengthening strength and improving physical fitness can often lead to a breakthrough season. But in Doncic's case, what really made the league hotly discuss is the determination shown behind his transformation and the desire for "revenge" speculated by the outside world.

Even though James has not yet lost the halo of "Lakeman's Facade", Doncic has become the team's brand new biceps - a more angular jawline and a more refined body outline.

Lakers general manager Robert Pelinka injects fresh blood into the team's lineup this summer: DeAndre Aiton, the 2018 draft pick and the same friend of Doncic, joined after the buyout. Despite the shortcomings of shooting and fluctuations in the state, compared with the dilemma of relying on Jaxon Hayes last season's playoffs - even forcing coach JJ Redick to play a center-free lineup at critical moments - Ayton's joining has been significantly upgraded. Although forward player Jack Laravia cannot completely replace the defensive role of Dorian Finney Smith, the most regrettable player left this summer, the younger shooter has a 42% three-point shooting percentage, which will also benefit from Doncic's inside restraint with James. The joining of Marcus Smart, the best defensive player in the 21-22 season is even more critical. This veteran who has only played 54 games due to injury in the past two seasons will inject the team with a long-lost tough guy gene.

At the introduction meeting of El Segundo's new player, Smart unexpectedly opened the curtain of the Lakers' strategic turn - he revealed that it was Doncic who took the initiative to recruit the 11-year-old veteran.

"When a guy like Luca calls in person, cares about your current situation, and tests whether you are willing to join the special plan he is planning..." Smart admitted, "Listen to him saying in person, 'I really need my help', this recognition is of great significance." As the press conference is approaching, Smart said confidently that he would communicate with James soon--this simple sentence seems to convey an invisible baton, quietly rewriting the team's power sequence.

So is the Lakers operating enough this summer? Austin Reeves, Hachimura Ei and Gaib Vincent continue to stay; Jared Vanderbilt and Maxi Klebel are expected to get rid of the haze of injuries; rookie Dalton Kneckett's potential is to be explored; Ayton and Smart inject new depth into the lineup.

More importantly, Doncic will be stronger. The most important thing for him and James is that from training camp, they will really start fighting side by side. The Western Theater Command is still dangerous, but with two changers of the best lineup, the Lakers are fully capable of causing a bloody storm.