Report: The Lakers believe the three stars model doesn’t work anymore in today’s NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers have been unable to make any major changes to their roster thus far. While the franchise is thought to be perpetually star chasing, that may no longer be the case. The Lakers do not believe the three stars model works in the modern NBA, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Speaking on SportsCenter, the NBA insider discussed the franchise’s offseason plans, stating:

What’s left are going to be minimum contracts, are going to be some moves on the edges, but there’s not a dramatic deal for the Lakers to do out in the marketplace. They don’t want to use their draft picks to get contracts off.

They’ll certainly use them if there’s a player that makes sense as part of a bigger deal, but right now, they’re not involved in any deals that would land them a third star. They’re seeing the landscape of this league and that the three stars model, with this salary cap, doesn’t work or it’s much more difficult for it to work.

While the Lakers roster two of the best players in the game in Anthony Davis and LeBron James, they have struggled to put the necessary pieces around them to contend. Despite frequently star hunting in the past, the front office may be taking a different approach. It is important to note, however, that there were very few star players available this offseason.

.@wojespn on the Lakers’ remaining offseason strategy:

– Los Angeles will be making moves on the edges, including veteran’s minimum signings.

– The Lakers are not interested in including draft picks to salary dump contracts.

– Internally, they believe the three stars model… pic.twitter.com/gQhVJhHIzw

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 3, 2024

Klay Thompson reportedly felt joining the Lakers would be similar to playing for the Warriors

Jan 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (right) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson was among the big names linked to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. While the five-time All-Star wound up leaving the Golden State Warriors after 13 seasons, he opted to join the Dallas Mavericks. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews reported that he felt joining Los Angeles would be too similar to playing for the Warriors, writing:

That left the Lakers. His father’s team. His idol’s team. LeBron’s team. The team ultimately was willing to offer Thompson more years and more money than he accepted from Dallas. Sources said James was willing to take less and the Lakers were trying to make trades that would’ve cleared four years and nearly $80 million for Thompson.

James had several deep conversations with Thompson about the idea of playing together, sources said. But something about playing for the Lakers apparently felt too much like playing for the Warriors. As one source close to him put it, “Would this be trading one fishbowl for another?” [h/t ESPN]

Thompson opted to sign a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks. The Lakers have since pivoted, with reported interest in DeMar DeRozan. It is unclear if the franchise will be able to make a major upgrade or bring back largely the same roster from last season. Los Angeles was eliminated in the first round of the postseason in 2023-24.

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