Thunder is loud and rainstorms are heavy? How much has the Lakers improved?

In the past six offseasons, the most worthy question for the Lakers is:

"Have the Lakers done enough for James?"

Whether you agree or oppose it, it is no surprise that since signing the Lakers as a free agent in July 2018, James has become the core driving force for the Lakers to move forward. His fans hope that James can get more support from the team to increase their number of championships. Lakers fans also hope that the team can regain their momentum and continue to increase the championship flag over the arena.

In the first year of cooperation between the two sides, the Lakers did not gain enough stable competitiveness, and their regular season record of 37 wins and 45 losses was also James' worst result since his rookie season. Since then, the Lakers faced every offseason: How to strengthen the championship lineup around James?

But from the final result, it is mixed. The Lakers successfully won the championship in the quarantine park in 2020, reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023, but lost again in the 2022 playoffs, as well as three first round games in 2021, 2024 and 2025. But this summer, the essence of this problem is gradually changing.

The Lakers' question now becomes: "Have the Lakers made good reinforcements for Doncic?"

From the preliminary situation, this answer seems to be worthy of affirmation.

Of course, no one will try to exclude James, and even if he is about to turn 41, the four-time champion and four-time MVP winner is still one of the most threatening core players in the league. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. He was selected for the All-Star Game for the 21st time in his career. He ranked sixth in the MVP voting, successfully helped the Lakers win 50 wins and was selected for the second team of the All-Squad.

Judging from personal performance, the old man of Time has not completely defeated James, but he does not deny that there is still some impact in this process. What we are seeing now is that James is slowly declining, and the team management needs to be prepared to shape a new chapter of the Lakers. In the next storyline, the Lakers' current and future stories will revolve around Doncic.

In particular, based on the sensation caused by the superstar's physical control over the past period of time, his position to the team is becoming increasingly important.

According to previous reports from reporters and his recent state of public activities, the slimming version of Doncic looks stronger, healthier than before, and is likely to be more offensively threatened. This is also Doncic's primary goal in the new season, making the Dallas Mavericks who abandon him and the outside world pay the price.

This is an explosive trade that cannot be forgotten by fans. The Mavericks made a shocking decision in February to trade Doncic from the only NBA team he played for. Among the doubts from inside and outside the team, the biggest part is that Doncic cannot control his physical fitness, which seriously limits his future potential and may even affect the length of his career as a superstar.

For Doncic, whether it is naturally starting to maintain self-discipline after entering the middle of his career, or whether this deal and outside doubts prompted him to do so, the top commander who has been selected for the five-time All-Squad, scorer in the 2023-24 season and the top commander who has held 89 major triple-doubles in his career looks ready to welcome a new season of his own.

Stronger and more self-disciplined physical conditions can indeed help many athletes make breakthroughs, and naturally the same is true for Doncic. Even though James still looks like the Lakers' first star, Doncic now seems to have begun to become the new core of this team.

And beside Doncic, Lakers General Manager Pelinka found some opportunities for the lineup, including 2018 No. 1 pick Aiton, who signed a contract to join after being bought out. Although he has limitations and shortcomings, compared with the embarrassing dilemma of relying on Hayes at the end of last season, Ayton is undoubtedly an opportunity to upgrade, allowing head coach Redick not to completely give up the center and forcefully choose the five small lineup at critical moments. Although forward Laravia cannot replace Finney Smith, who left the team in defense, he is younger. His previous three-point shooting percentage is as high as 42%, and he can get open opportunities on the weak defensive side of Doncic and James. There is also Smart, the best defensive player in the 2021-22 season, has suffered from injuries in the past two seasons. The Grizzlies and the Wizards have only played 54 games during the period, but they still have considerable value in the basic set of substitute defense and the inheritance of game experience.

So, overall, how are the Lakers' signings and trading this offseason?

Rivers, Hachimura Hiroshi, Vincent and others continue to stay in the team, Vanderbilt, Kleber and others are expected to be able to have a healthier physical condition in the new season. Kneckett's future potential is still unclear, and the follow-up remains to be seen. Ayton and Smart are important bench puzzles to be added.

And beyond these role players, the key is that Doncic may get better in the new season. For Doncic and James, the West still looks cruel in the new season, but the Lakers hold two best-squad players who are enough to change the game, and they may still be extremely threatening in the new season.