The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads following LeBron James' contract decision, potentially paving the way for a partnership with Luka Doncic. With rumors swirling about max cap space next summer, the Lakers are eyeing high-profile targets like Giannis Antetokounmpo to complement Doncic and craft a star-studded lineup. However, Rick Carlisle raises a thought-provoking point about roster construction, emphasizing depth over star power in today's NBA landscape.

He asserts that recent Finals participants, including the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, succeeded not just through their star talents like Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but also via a robust supporting cast. The idea is that having a well-rounded team can outshine the traditional model of banking on a few elite players, pushing teams to reconsider how they build contenders.