The end of James represents the end of one era and also marks the beginning of another era

He was the 2018 Tanhua Show and was also a veritable No. 1 pick. In the 2023-24 season, he led the Mavericks to the finals with averaging 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists per game. Although he lost to the Celtics 4-1 and missed the championship, he won the first regular season scoring champion that year and was selected for the best team. He is Luca Doncic!

In seven years, Doncic was selected into the Best Team 15 times, with a probability of being selected as high as 71%, leading James' 59% (13 times in 22 years) and Kobe's 55% (11 times in 2020).

I thought that as a non-selling product, he would end his life in Dallas with the romance of Slovenia, but unexpectedly, before the 2024 transaction deadline, the Mavericks' management personally sent Doncic to Los Angeles. He was only 27 years old that year, and he was in his battle year!

When he first entered the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic's performance was not ideal due to injuries and weight problems. His score dropped from averaging 28 points in the Mavericks to only 15 points, and his three-point shooting percentage dropped to 26.7%. Even the American media began to doubt whether the Lakers made a mistake in this deal!

However, real superstars can always rebound in the trough. After experiencing a pain period, Doncic found a new explosion point in the Lakers system. In March 2025, he scored 45 points and 11 rebounds, and scored 29 points in the first half to set a career record for the Lakers. Throughout the season, he delivered a perfect answer of 28.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 9.3 assists per game!

Although he achieved the third place in the Western Conference in the regular season, the problem of the deformed lineup in the playoffs was infinitely amplified, and he eventually lost to the Timberwolves 4-1 and missed the second round!

The Lakers' reinforcing ideas were extremely clear in the offseason. First, they signed center Ayton through a special case in the middle class, and then signed Lalavia for 12 million in two years, making up for the shortcomings in the wing defense, releasing Doncic's defensive pressure, and finally renewed the contract with Hayes, increasing their unlimited defense replacement ability. At this point, the Lakers' lineup is basically taken next season!

As James retreated to the second line, the Lakers' management's three-year plan for building a team around Doncic has become:

2025-26 season: thoroughly establish a tactical system with Doncic as the core, and deeply run-in!

2026-27 season: Evaluate the cap of the existing lineup (such as Reeves), or strengthen it through the trading market!

2027-28 season: Make every effort to win the championship and use the salary space to pursue top free agents!

The end of James represents the end of an era and also marks the beginning of another era. This Lakers led by Doncic in the future are re-taking the road of history. If the Lakers with Doncic as the core can really win the cup in the next few years, then another dynasty will rise slowly!