Luka Dončić should bail on the Los Angeles Lakers for a Dallas Mavericks reunion, says NBA analyst Sam Quinn.
What happened?
The Lakers' president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, retooled the roster around Dončić after LeBron James' exit.
Why it matters for Luka Dončić
Pelinka traded for Walker Kessler and added free agents Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton, but Quinn claims this roster is destined to lose to the Thunder and/or Spurs.
Luka Dončić had asked for an "A-list center" and some shooters in June, which Pelinka prioritized.
The Lakers lack elite wing defenders, a key factor in the past four championship-winning teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks.
What comes next?
Dončić has a $59.2 million player option heading into the 2028-29 season, making the summer of 2028 crucial for the Lakers.
Quinn's points are valid, and a return to Dallas could be on the table for Dončić, who has often said Dallas will always be home to him.
The Mavericks have the flexibility and young talent to complement a potential Dončić-Flagg pairing in 2028.
Cooper Flagg could be better than any of Dončić's supporting cast starting next season, and in 2028, the reigning Rookie of the Year could be in MVP conversations.
The Spurs' trio of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper is a younger, arguably more talented core than the Lakers' with Dončić, Kessler, and Austin Reaves.
San Antonio also has more flexibility to build around its best players, making Dončić's path to a championship more feasible with the Mavericks.
And with the Lakers' recent acquisitions, they will be banking on Kessler to clean up their defensive shortcomings.
But when Kessler goes to the bench, the Lakers have Deandre Ayton, who has been maligned for his lack of effort, particularly on defense.
So the Lakers must contend with the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, two championship-contending teams that just got better after the draft and early into free agency.
The new additions, Grimes and Sexton, aren't known for their defense, and Mamukelashvili isn't an elite rim protector.
Dončić's best chance at a title is returning to Dallas in 2028 and rolling with Cooper Flagg, according to Quinn.
Quinn noted that the past four championship-winning teams all have elite wing defenders, which the Lakers lack.
The Lakers just lost Marcus Smart, their best perimeter defender, to the Houston Rockets, and Rui Hachimura is also likely out following Pelinka's recent acquisitions.