Basketball

Have the Lakers Become an NBA Championship Contender?

Published: Apr 16, 2025, 2:01 PM
6 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 8:01 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
 Luka Doncic #77 and Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Doncic #77 and Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Every week, Mark Medina shares his thoughts and insights on the latest NBA topics for RG. In this installment, he gives his take on whether the Lakers can win an NBA championship.

Though their storied championship history always defines their mission statement, the Los Angeles Lakers conceded uncertainty on whether they could actually win an NBA championship.

Lakers coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka acknowledged those feelings before the 2024–25 season started. Lakers star LeBron James maintained that stance when he turned 40 years old on Dec. 30, 2024.

A Seismic Shift: Dončić Joins the Lakers

Just over four months later, however, the Lakers enter the NBA playoffs harboring a much different sentiment. After following up their Western Conference Finals appearance two years ago with a first-round exit last year, the Lakers have become a dramatically different team.

“We added Luka Dončić,” Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “That’s a big difference.”

But is it enough to win an NBA championship this season? Pelinka may have called it a “seismic event in NBA history” for the Lakers to acquire a generational international talent (Dončić) and two rotational forwards (Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris) from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for an elite defender (Anthony Davis), a young role player (Max Christie), and a first-round pick (2029). But that’s because the Lakers found their next generational star following LeBron James’ retirement for relatively little in return. Even then, the Lakers only projected an NBA title run in the future, not in the present.

Well, that championship window opened a bit early. The Lakers (50–32) secured the No. 3 seed for a first-round matchup against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (49–33). Dončić has shed concerns about his conditioning. James has reduced Father Time’s touch after missing two weeks with a strained left groin. Together, they’ve reduced any questions on if they could share scoring and playmaking duties without diluting the other player’s greatness. Together, Dončić has averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, while James has averaged 23.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

“They’ve done a good job of figuring that out on the fly,” Redick said.

Reaves’ Rise and a New Rotation

That’s not the only reason the Lakers have a chance to win their 17th NBA championship. Since their blockbuster trade, the Lakers have done a good job with figuring out other important developments on the fly.

In his fourth season with the Lakers, guard Austin Reaves has grown into an All-Star caliber player experiencing organic growth as an undrafted prospect and a reliable role player.

Officially, the Lakers dealt their inconsistent point guard (D’Angelo Russell) in late December to the Brooklyn Nets for a proven perimeter shooter and defender (Dorian Finney-Smith). Unofficially, the deal also enabled Reaves to assume more playmaking and shooting responsibilities. After the Lakers’ more significant trade, the Lakers’ offense primarily centered around Dončić and James. That dynamic didn’t diminish Reaves’ stature, though. It has only grown with increased scoring (career-high 20.2 points per game), passing (career-high 5.8 assists per game), and leadership.

“He has grown into that responsibility,” Redick said. “He’s not a first-round pick, he’s not a lottery pick. He’s not a top-five pick that comes in and you’ve got the expectations and the future of the franchise. He came in and he earned his way to get a contract. And I think subconsciously, no matter how good you think you are, you may think, ‘That’s not my responsibility.’ But he’s grown as a player.”

Defense by Committee

That growth coincided with the Lakers also learning to defend on the fly to compensate for Davis’ absence. Instead of becoming a liability that would limit the Lakers’ championship chances, they have only enhanced it.

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has excelled as a lob threat and a rim protector while minimizing his fouls. Vanderbilt has stayed mostly healthy since missing the first half of the season to recover from offseason procedures on both of his feet. What the Lakers lack in frontcourt depth, they have made up for with small-ball lineups. Most importantly, the Lakers have defended as if their championship chances depend on it.

“It starts with playing hard,” Redick said. “I think LeBron throughout the year has just been a real leader on that end of the floor for us. And I just think the buy-in to what schematically we’re doing, the game plan we’re giving them, has been really good.”

Will that be enough to win an NBA title?

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers all boast better depth. But the Lakers have a proven formula with two healthy stars that know how to coexist (James, Dončić), a consistent third star (Reaves), and a proven defense. That should be enough to beat Minnesota easily. That could be enough to challenge Houston or Golden State. That could be enough to make enough adjustments against OKC, Boston, or Cleveland. Unlike during training camp and their early-season inconsistency, the Lakers enter the playoffs with justified confidence they can hoist another NBA championship trophy.

NBA Reporter
Mark Medina is a veteran NBA reporter who has covered six NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant’s final five seasons and the Warriors’ dynasty years. He was one of the few journalists embedded in the 2020 NBA bubble, reporting on both the games and league-wide activism. Over the years, he’s interviewed legends like Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Known for his in-depth features and analysis, Mark brings a thoughtful lens to the league’s biggest moments and personalities.
Interests:
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NBA Writers

Spencer Davies
Spencer Davies
NBA Reporter

Spencer Davies is a seasoned sports journalist based in Cleveland, Ohio, with over a decade of diverse experience. His career has spanned roles such as managing editor, senior writer, freelance video correspondent, social media manager, digital production assistant, sports radio anchor, and producer.

Currently, Spencer is an on-camera talent for Cleveland Cavaliers SI, hosting the weekly podcast Courtside with Cavs alongside Spencer German. He also contributed to the Emmy-nominated Wired to Win series for CloseUp360, which highlighted a HOLO Footwear partnership with Isaac Okoro.

In addition, Spencer creates longform NBA Draft content and grassroots features for Babcock Hoops, a site run by former NBA agent Matt Babcock. He also works as a digital production assistant for the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.

Passionate about video content, Spencer has produced multiple viral clips featuring Cavaliers locker room moments and interviews, sharing them across X/Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Known for his conversational and engaging style, he builds strong relationships in the basketball world at local, national, and global levels. His network stretches worldwide—from North America to Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Philippines, where his grandmother is from.

Some standout moments in his career include attending Dwyane Wade’s Stance Spades Tournament during All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, competing in the Metro by T-Mobile HotSpot and Knockout contest with Collin Sexton and Tacko Fall at All-Star Weekend in Chicago, and covering numerous Las Vegas Summer League events.

A true hoop enthusiast, Spencer is passionate about player development and occasionally hits the gym to shoot and rebound, supporting players at all levels. His brother Cade is a sophomore at Division III Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Major Events Covered:

  • NBA Finals (2017, 2018)
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  • NBA Summer League (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024)
  • NBA Draft Combine (2018, 2019)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day (2015-19, 2021-24)
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