The 17-time NBA champions have made multiple trades to bolster the roster, with the most prominent one being the addition of Luka Doncic. Well, let's put Doncic's trade on the backburner and focus on the unexpected positive impact of the previous D'Angelo Russell trade.

"When Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka described the type of center the franchise was looking for ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, he used the terms 'versatility,' 'mobility,' 'a vertical lob threat' and 'competitive.'

Doncic is introduced as the newest superstar in Los Angeles, and the team’s renewed title hopes are front and center.