Could the Lakers Become Immediate Contenders with Luka Doncic?

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00:00So now the blockbuster trade is done between Dallas and LA, where does it leave both organizations

00:06this year and of course beyond. From a future perspective, having Luka Doncic maybe for the

00:12next decade plus in Los Angeles, sensational. This year the odds makers believe that with LeBron

00:19James and Luka Doncic, the Lakers can make a run toward the Western Conference Finals. Plus 850,

00:27now the number on LA to win the West. Third best behind Oklahoma City and Denver. The Thunder in

00:34prime position in the top spot in the standings and a plus 105 price to win the Western Conference

00:40crown, nearly at even money. Joe, before the break you expressed some skepticism that it's

00:46actually going to work this year from a basketball perspective between LeBron and Luka, at least at

00:51the length of truly being a conference contender out West. So in your mind, maybe not worth a bet

00:59on the plus 850 price on Los Angeles? Yeah, no, this is not a great fit at all. Not to mention

01:05they don't have a big on this roster now, Ben. I mean, don't forget it was Anthony Davis who was

01:11playing center in this spot and hated it and didn't want to and so now they still have to make

01:17some moves if it's truly about this season. But you're talking about two ball dominant players

01:24that are only truly at their best when they have the ball in their hands. So I don't see how

01:29that's going to work here. But what I do see long term for the Lakers is they are set for the

01:35next decade with their superstar in LA, which probably means to me LeBron takes the farewell

01:42tour next year and does the Kobe thing where it's gifts and champagne and balloons at every

01:48stop along the way. And then he hands the keys to the franchise over to Luka. So it's a win for

01:55the Lakers. It's just not a win for this year.