Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith Doubt the Lakers Improved with Luka Trade
The dust has yet to settle from the Lakers’ bold decision to acquire Luka Dončić, and the discussion is already in full swing: Can LeBron James and Luka truly play well together? ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think so. He believes that if LeBron is aiming for another championship, he should consider an unexpected move—waiving his no-trade clause and joining the Golden State Warriors. On First Take, Smith was direct with his opinion. “I don’t see the Lakers winning a title with Luka and LeBron together… They’re both ball-dominant players. It’s not that it can’t work, but Luka thrives when he has control of the ball, just like LeBron. And at this point in LeBron’s career, does he really want to stand around while Luka makes the plays?” Then, true to his style, Stephen A. took it further. “If LeBron wants another championship, he should think about waiving his no-trade clause and heading to the Warriors… Pair him with Steph Curry—who doesn’t need the ball all the time—and you have a situation where the fit works much better.” A LeBron-Curry superteam to finish his career? That’s a bold statement that grabs attention. However, Smith isn’t the only one questioning how LeBron and Luka will fit together in Los Angeles.