The rebuild just started

The blockbuster trade of Anthony Davis to the Mavs for Luca Doncic blew our collective minds to the tune of 2K+ comments....and counting.

Regardless of how we each feel about the merits of the trade, one thing is absolutely clear: the Lakers are going in a completely different direction.

And I mean that in a literal sense - Luca Doncic is an elite perimeter whisperer who is still only 25 years old. Anthony Davis is a dominant paint patroller at 32. Other than scoring, they are polar opposites in almost every sense. That means they require different players around them to maximize their abilities. That means the Lakers are going in a completely different direction.

I heard a stat on ESPN-LA radio that Lebron James led the Lakers in points, rebounds and assists against the Knicks, marking the 159th time he's led his team in those categories in his career...an NBA record. Third all time? Luka Doncic. I haven't been able to verify that stat, but it's pretty consistent with what we've seen from both players throughout their careers - they're each at their best when they are the best (or at least most important) players on their teams.

They both can't be that. Somebody will have to give up something, and considering that the Lakers had no true PG and Lebron's age, I suspect Lebron will be giving up the ball and Luca will be giving up some rebounding (ie Lebron will still initiate a fast break when he can). That kind of usage shift signals that the Lakers are going in a completely different direction.

...and speaking of different players around them: the Lakers also moved Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino and received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the deal. Morris and Hood-Schifino are both after thoughts...neither was playing much and probably won't be now.

Christie was a starter and was playing pretty well as a point-of-attack defender, but his lack of range made him a bit useless next to a player like Doncic. Reaves, on the other hand, is a perfect compliment to Doncic. He'll stop running the offense and start playing more as an off-ball scorer and tertiary playmaker (which is his ideal role imho). In terms of how the offense will run, the Lakers are going in a completely different direction.

Kleber is a decent backup/rotation big, but his foot injury will keep him for most of the rest of the season. Still, he could very easily return and supplant Hayes/Koloko/Wood....or the Lakers could move his contract in the offseason (it expires next year) for draft capital or to fill holes. Either way, the Lakers are going in a completely different direction.

The trade deadline is three days away and there are moves to be made, but each one requires the Lakers to deal one or more of their remaining main rotation guys (and maybe the last pick). That's not a problem and I don't think the Lakers are done - whether they act now or in the offseason, I fully expect the roster to be fundamentally changed. The Lakers will be going in a completely different direction.

So, yeah...the Lakers are rebuilding and, by acquiring a 25-year-old superstar, they seem to have a plan. A plan that gives them a puncher's chance in the short term while establishing a foundation for the long. A plan that takes them in a completely different direction. That's a good thing.