The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on a massive move looking ahead to the future. Reports indicate the team is looking at bringing Luka Doncic aboard to lead the franchise once LeBron James eventually retires. As LeBron’s illustrious career gets closer to its end, the Lakers are keen to secure Luka Doncic—a star player with the Dallas Mavericks—as a potential replacement. Let’s break down what this move could mean for the Lakers and how it might play out.
Luka Doncic Timing the Move
Luka Doncic is a name that excites every NBA fan. The 25-year-old is the bright star with the Dallas Mavericks, and in 2022 he inked a gigantic five-year contract that’ll keep him in Texas until at least 2026. There is even an option to extend it through 2027. If James declines to pick up his $52.2 million player option for the 2024-2025 season, expect the Los Angeles Lakers to make a serious push for Doncic next summer. If not, there’s a possibility that any move will be delayed until 2026, when James is expected to retire.
Luka Doncic is no easy task to get. He already has a big contract with the Mavericks and can sign an even bigger deal this summer. As reported, he could make a five-year worth $346 million deal that would be the biggest in the history of the NBA. With so big of a contract awaiting him, it would be tough for the Lakers to take him from Dallas.
The Lakers’ Plan
So how might the Lakers lure Doncic onto their roster? There is the possibility of a blockbuster trade once he’s inked his new deal. With LeBron James retired, the Lakers will have more salary cap space and can offer the Mavericks a slew of draft picks. At present, the Lakers have stockpiled five first-round and five second-round picks for such a scenario.
The Lakers have an equally prestigious history of 17 NBA championships, which is tied for most in the league. Joining the Lakers would mean Doncic could follow in the footsteps of legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and, of course, LeBron James. That storied legacy may serve as a significant pull for him.
But for now, the Lakers should face and address the problems with their current roster. During the 2023–24 NBA season, the Mavericks performed better compared to the Lakers. They managed to reach the Finals but lost to the Celtics and the Lakers were defeated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets. Surely, the Lakers would need to up their game if they wanted a player like Luka Doncic to come to their team.
Looking Ahead
The Luka Doncic move presents the Lakers with a fabulous opportunity to set up a strong future. Entering what may be the last year of his playing career, the team has started working on how it can remain competitive once LeBron James retires. The addition of Doncic might change everything for the Lakers in their attempt to win another championship.
In other words, the Lakers are going big, with Luka Doncic being a probable star player for their team in the future. Of course, there will be potential hurdles—the heavy contract and how well he is doing with the Mavericks—but the benefits would be huge. All eyes will be focused on whether or not this promising plan materializes. The Lakers’ move to get Doncic echoes their long-term view and their ambition to be at the top of the NBA.
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