The Los Angeles Lakers’ future is set with Luka Dončić. However, their next step is getting the right help around him. The Dallas Mavericks showed it is possible to build the right team around him, as doing so brought them to the 2024 NBA Finals, but the Lakers must add the right pieces. Los Angeles is an attractive market for free agents, which could help the team land top stars. But while adding stars is important, building the right supporting cast around Dončić is just as crucial. One player could fit that role.
Lakers Urged To Reunite With Former First-Round Pick
PFSN’s Brandon Austin explained why New York Knicks wing Josh Hart would make sense for a contender seeking help. In the upcoming NBA season, Hart will be in the second year of a four-year, $80,915,280 contract.
“Hart has been a vital contributor, known for his hustle, rebounding, and defensive versatility. Under Tom Thibodeau, he thrived in a do-it-all role that supported New York’s defensive identity,” Austin wrote. Austin also explained how Hart has helped the Knicks’ winning culture but noted why he could be on the move.
“While Hart remains a locker-room favorite and glue guy, the Knicks could see moving him as a necessary step to land a higher-impact player. His departure would be difficult, but it could align with a win-now mindset,” Austin wrote. He predicted the Lakers would be among Hart’s next destinations if the Knicks put him on the market.
Hart was originally drafted by the Lakers in 2017, where he played for two years before being included in the Lakers’ blockbuster package for Anthony Davis. He later spent time with New Orleans and Portland before finding his footing with New York. His inability to space the floor hurts his effectiveness as a player, but the Lakers need players who can set the tone. Having a guard of his size who plays with that energy and relentlessly hunts rebounds could be valuable for Los Angeles.
Teams value positional versatility, and Hart fills several needs that could help relieve some of Dončić’s burden. Even if Hart is not a Kyle Korver-type shooter, he still provides plenty when he is on the floor. Acquiring Hart alone would not be enough, but if the Lakers landed him, it could mark the beginning of something special, as long as the price is not too high.
