The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and now have to work to build a roster around superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, with rising star Austin Reaves as an important piece as well. Typically, those three players would be an incredible starting point for any franchise. But the makeup of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers could change that.
The Thunder and Pacers are built relatively similarly. Both have one superstar — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton — followed by a secondary All-Star that is an elite two-way threat in Jalen Williams and Pascal Siakam. They both have centers that can protect the rim and shoot the 3-ball in Chet Holmgren and Myles Turner. After that, both are flooded with two-way role players that can defend, shoot and make decisions with the ball in their hands.
That includes players like Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Cason Wallace for the Thunder, and Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin for the Pacers. And according to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Thunder and Pacers may vault the NBA into a new era of roster-building under the second apron constraints:
“Executives all around the NBA are watching these NBA Finals, and these two teams specifically, as a blueprint of roster building. That means two-way players, players with characteristics of competitiveness, youth, two-way ability. And that’s a departure from the star-heavy, three-point reliant teams that we may have seen in past years. And that’s a possible solution to really modern-day building when we think about the second apron and the salary cap and the restraints we’ve seen. And listen, Indiana will be a competitive team for years to come, but these Oklahoma City Thunder have all the characteristics as one NBA GM told me this week: ‘Oklahoma City might be the best-positioned team in pro sports, as of right now and moving into the future.’ They’ve got a treasure chest of draft picks to keep this team competitive for years to come. This might be something we’re going to be witnessing as the new normal for the NBA in Oklahoma City.”
Of course, every NBA Finals, it seems that the conversation becomes about replicating the two teams. Last season, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks showed that big wings, 3-point shooting and depth mattered above all else. This year, it’s still about depth, but now add in youth and multifaceted players instead of big wings and 3-point shooting.
Every year is going to teach a different lesson about the NBA. But with the second apron, teams may begin prioritizing youth and draft picks in a way they haven’t before. And that leaves the Lakers — a team lacking in both — in a very interesting spot moving forward.
Lakers expected to be aggressive this offseason
This will be a very important offseason for the Lakers as they look to build the ideal roster around Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office will be working all summer, using all potential options to improve this team and contend for the NBA Championship next season.
Whether it is through free agency, the NBA Draft or trades, the Lakers must identify and acquire the right pieces to take this team to the next level and ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes the franchise will be very aggressive in doing so.
In an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Marks said he expects the team to be extremely aggressive this offseason, using their expiring contracts to acquire a center and other depth pieces, while also eyeing an extension for Doncic.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
