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- Jacob Rhee

The Lakers have a shot at this thing. I’m telling you.

Now, look. I go to school in Los Angeles, and plenty of my readers are from the area. If you think this particular hot take smells suspiciously like an attempt to suck up to the folks around me, I don’t necessarily blame you. But I promise that I’m not trying to pander here. I really believe the title window is still open.

Admittedly, I felt a little bit gross even trying to craft this argument. A play-in team that stood motionless in the offseason is almost never deserving of my attention, let alone my optimism. I know better. Yet, I have no choice but to at least consider making an exception here. When this media market has a superstar duo this good, and the organization makes a coaching hire this wild, we have no choice but to wonder about the ceiling. So, let’s talk about it. Here’s a four-step blueprint that could lead LA to a second title in six years.

1. Slide Austin Reaves to point guard.

Austin Reaves was a point guard in high school. He went to Wichita State, and bolted because they refused to play him at point guard. Reaves then shifted back to point guard at Oklahoma, and was First-Team All-Big 12 in his final collegiate season. I think - and, stop me if you disagree - the man is a point guard.

Darvin Ham did not seem to understand this. Unfortunately, neither does JJ Redick at the moment.

Lakers fans better hope he figures it out by April.

2. Let the kids play.

Wait, you want Austin at the one? So you’re parking D’Angelo Russell at shooting guard? He can’t defend guys at that position!

Well, now we have an awkward conversation on our hands. I love my former Buckeye D’Angelo, but he’s moving to the bench. The skill set fits better there anyway; he’ll have the ball in non-LeBron minutes, and can finally roam free as the microwave scorer he was always destined to be.

So who’s my starting two? Well, Rob Pelinka kind of answered that for us. Max Christie’s career high is 14 points, and he just got handed a $32 million extension. That’s real trust in a kid’s development, and it’s time to finally let him prove his value. Meanwhile, I’m giving Dalton Knecht immediate minutes behind him. But he’s a rookie! He’s not ready to contribute! Knecht is literally older than Anthony Edwards, who just took his squad to the conference finals and won a gold medal in a three-month span. Don’t tell me it’s too early.

And… dare I even mention the possibility of sneaking Jalen Hood-Schifino into the back of the rotation as a reserve guard? Redick claims that he had a fantastic summer; if that’s true, then give him some playing time. The front office wanted JHS over potential hometown hero Jaime Jaquez Jr.; let your young guy justify that decision.

3. Get LeBron engaged on defense.

James ranged from solid to all-time great on the defensive end for the first 14 years of his career. Then, he started to strategically pick and choose when to give effort as he aged. He had to drag garbage offensive supporting casts in 2018 and 2019, and didn’t guard anyone as a result. Help arrived, and LeBron locked back in for the next two seasons. He’s found somewhat of a middle ground recently.

Having Reaves handle the ball and initiate actions each night should give James more energy to fly around and disrupt things on defense. We saw in the Olympics that he’s still perfectly capable of changing games with his athleticism, versatility, and instincts. Let’s unleash all of it; the other players on the team will follow suit when they see their two leaders emptying the tank on that side of the ball.

4. One big splash.

Every true contender needs five dudes that it can trust completely to close a playoff game. Los Angeles has three clear ones, and I’d argue that Jarred Vanderbilt also qualifies. Before Vando got hurt, he was right there with Jaden McDaniels and Herb Jones in the people-don’t-even-try-to-beat-me-off-the-dribble-anymore class.

D’Angelo can’t be the fifth guy. Even though he made a commendable effort to be more active on defense last year, he still got hunted and exposed by Denver again. My Asian hero Rui Hachimura isn’t bankable either. He played 153 minutes in that Nuggets series, and scored 39 points total. I completely forgot he was out there at times.

The Lakers infamously stood pat at the deadline seven months ago, supposedly to have their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks in the back pocket for a deal this season. Well, here we are. You can pry Jimmy Butler away from Miami with the right package. Anfernee Simons will be available when Portland inevitably chooses Shaedon Sharpe as Scoot Henderson’s long-term backcourt mate. Pick up the phone and ask about Marcus Smart if Memphis struggles. CJ McCollum could help. Jerami Grant would be nice. Every candidate I just named is ringless, and each would bring a hunger and energy to the roster that is glaringly absent right now. Hey, Rob. You possess the assets to hit a homer. Time to do it.

Title No. 18 is within reach, LA. Just listen to me.

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