The Los Angeles Lakers Approach New Ways to Build Around Their New Franchise Player in 2025

It wasn’t just a signature on a piece of paper. It was a statement. When the Los Angeles Lakers inked Luka Dončić to a three-year contract extension this offseason, it was more than just a transaction; it was the dawn of a new dynasty. The blockbuster trade that brought the Slovenian sensation to Hollywood had already sent shockwaves through the league, but securing his commitment was the real earthquake. Dončić could have played the long game, waiting until next summer to chase every last dollar. Instead, he chose now. He chose the Los Angeles Lakers. And in doing so, he gave the front office the one thing they craved most: certainty.

That certainty has ignited a fire within the organization. The cautious, wait-and-see approach that defined the post-LeBron era is officially dead and buried. With Dončić locked in, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to hunt again. They’re ready to be aggressive. They’re ready to build another championship beast.

A New Era: The Los Angeles Lakers Shift from Patience to Pursuit

For years, the Lakers’ front office operated with one eye on the present and the other on a future without LeBron James. They were hesitant to mortgage the future for short-term gains, knowing the King’s reign wouldn’t last forever. Even LeBron himself seemed to notice, his public statements often carried a subtext of a franchise in transition.

But the arrival of Dončić, and now his extension, has completely rewritten the script. As reported by Dan Woike of The Athletic, the team’s entire philosophy has pivoted. “According to team and league sources, the Lakers’ stance on roster improvements…has shifted because of the start of this new chapter together,” Woike wrote. “Dončić’s multi-year commitment has nudged LA’s priorities in more aggressive directions.”

What does that mean in plain English? It means the Lakers are back in the big-game hunting business. They have their cornerstone, a perennial MVP candidate barely in his prime, ready to lead them for the next decade. The fear of a superstar walking away in free agency, leaving a smoldering crater of traded assets, has vanished. Rob Pelinka and the front office now have the green light to burn every available asset to surround Dončić with the championship-caliber help he needs. The era of hesitation is over. The era of aggression has begun.

Building Around Luka: What the Los Angeles Lakers Need Next

So, how do you build a kingdom around a king like Luka? The blueprint is surprisingly straightforward, and it’s one Dončić himself has already perfected. You need two things: athletic, rim-running bigs and knockdown shooters.

Think back to his time in Dallas. The magic he created with Dereck Lively II in the pick-and-roll wasn’t an accident; it was a masterclass in offensive synergy. Dončić is a maestro with the ball in his hands, and his ability to find a lob-threat big man is second to none. While the Lakers’ new center, DeAndre Ayton, is a solid piece, he isn’t the same vertical force as Lively. Finding a true partner for Luka in the paint has to be a top priority.

Even more crucial, however, is surrounding him with shooters. Dončić is a gravity well, pulling defenders toward him and creating wide-open looks for his teammates. Throughout his career, no one has generated more corner three-point attempts. Yet, the current Lakers roster is painfully short on elite marksmen. This is where the front office can get creative. Shooters are more available than ever, and acquiring players like Grayson Allen or Sam Hauser wouldn’t require a king’s ransom.

The most fascinating question, of course, is how LeBron James fits into this new world. He’s not a traditional shooter or a rim-runner, but he is, well, LeBron James. Dončić has proven he can thrive alongside another ball-dominant star, as he did with Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson. The challenge for new coach JJ Redick will be to orchestrate an offense that allows both superstars to shine without stepping on each other’s toes.

The Austin Reaves Dilemma and the Road Ahead

While the ink is still drying on Luka’s deal, another critical contract negotiation looms on the horizon: Austin Reaves. The undrafted guard has become a legitimate star, but he’s set to hit free agency next summer. League executives are already whispering that he could command a salary north of $30 million per year.

Can the Lakers afford to keep him? More importantly, can they afford not to? Reaves has the potential to be the perfect long-term backcourt partner for Dončić. However, his struggles in last season’s playoffs raised questions about whether he can be a reliable second or third option on a championship team. This upcoming season is a massive audition for Reaves. If he proves he can perform when the lights are brightest, the Lakers will have no choice but to pay him.

The path forward is clear: the Los Angeles Lakers are all-in on Luka Dončić. They have the star, the vision, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to hang another banner. The coming months will be filled with trade rumors and strategic moves, each one designed to build a new dynasty in the heart of Hollywood. The rest of the NBA has been put on notice. The Lakers are coming.