Hernández: Trade deadline trade turns Lakers from Sideshow to NBA title contender

For the past four years, they have felt as if they were trapped in rush hour traffic. Now the Lakers race along an open road.

Going towards relevance.

Committed to the competition.

Going toward a potential 18th championship.

The Lakers have changed everything in the five days before Thursday’s trade deadline as they evolved from high-profile juggling to a legitimate threat.

The Lakers are not content to simply land LeBron James' successor in Luka Doncic, but rather to maximize the time when the two generations of superstars overlap.

They talked about the opening left by Center Anthony Davis, a 7-foot-tall Mark Williams deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

Read more: The Lakers are confident they find the “perfect” center in Mark Williams

Williams is 23, but that's as much as it is now and has something to do with the future.

It was a bizarre move, with general manager Rob Pelinka putting most of his remaining trade capital into Williams’ deals, who averaged 17.4 points and 10.7 rebounds after entering the Hornets’ starting lineup in mid-December.

The Lakers have caused great optimism since they sold to Anthony Davis before their recent championship season. The Los Angeles franchise has changed dramatically since Guggenheim Baseball Management bought the Dodgers.

Lakers fans did it, James did it.

Just a few days ago, I asked James if he was worried that the Lakers could further prioritize the future.

“If I have concerns, I'll give up my no-trade clause and get up,” James said.

He is right.

Williams puts the Lakers in Dalton Knecht's latest first-round draft pick, as well as a first-round draft pick deal in 2030, and an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2031.

This is Pelinka's high-risk, high-reward action.

Williams is a former first-round draft pick, playing in just 85 games in his three NBA seasons as he missed a lot of time after foot and ankle injuries. His back problems last season limited him to 19 games.

Williams is a solid rebounder, but a below-average defender. He certainly isn't Anthony Davis.

The starting lineup includes defensive responsibilities for 40-year-old James and Don Cic and Austin Reeves, who know whether the Lakers can prevent opponents from scoring.

If Williams fails to stay healthy or produces expectations, there will be very practical consequences. The Lakers' next tradeable first-round pick is in the 2033 draft and won't be accessed until 2026-27.

If the Lakers are forced to do another major trade before that, then they may have to trade Reaves, something they don't want to do.

Doncic bravely put the bet down. If it is not necessary, he is worth gambling.

The Lakers have a history of winning superstars after a superstar, but they have two players at the same time who are as talented as Don Cic and James?

Pelinka realized the opportunity and responded with the right level of urgency.

Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss deserve praise for the roster makeover rather than executing trades – the Mavericks and Hornets approached the Lakers, not the other way around, but instead positioned themselves to make those deals.

James has been frustrated with the team’s roster composition in recent years, and James passively lobbies the management to keep him surrounded with better players.

Last year, when the Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, James was asked if he was confident in the team based on his improved late-stage form.

“No,” James replied. “We lost. I'm not the one involved.”

Translation: Upgrade the roster.

Last month, James said the Lakers had to play “nearly perfect basketball” to win.

Translation: Upgrade the roster.

Ultimately, the Lakers did, providing James with the same motivation to stay dedicated as his recent downturn performance.

Read more: LeBron James rebels against his age again, scoring 42 points in Lakers' defeat of the Warriors

Similar to the Dodgers and USC, the Lakers are defined by the championship. For such a brand, a lack of hope can lead to an identity crisis. Because if they can't win, what are they?

That's where the Lakers were in trouble during Kobe Bryant's career. That's where they were after Kobe retired. This is where they return after the bubble championship.

The Doncic and Williams deal doesn't guarantee another title, but they make Los Angeles dream again. Until further notice, the Lakers will become the Lakers again.

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The story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.