Lakers predicted to trade for $90M All-Star rim protector as perfect Luka Doncic lob partner

Lakers predicted to trade for $90M All-Star rim protector as perfect Luka Doncic lob partner originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Last year around this time, the Los Angeles Lakers were in a playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves that ultimately ended their season.

Now, they find themselves up two games on the Houston Rockets . Around this same time last year, the front office also met with Luka Dončić, and he made it clear he wants to win now. “Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time.

Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote. Dončić has quickly built chemistry with his teammates. Perhaps no one on the roster has developed a stronger on-court connection with him than big man Jaxson Hayes.

“Hayes is originally from Oklahoma, and given the talent on the Team USA, he was unlikely to ever get a chance to compete at the Olympic level, making this an incredible opportunity. From a bigger picture perspective, Hayes getting his Slovenian passport to team up with Luka may have just secured his Lakers future,” Lake Show Life’s Chris Lambert wrote. While Hayes provides the type of lob threat Dončić typically thrives with, he is not a full-time starting option and is better suited as a role player.