Luka Doncic has no loyalty to the Lakers and no supermax to keep him there. Would anyone be surprised if the Lakers screw up building a surrounding cast - as they have for the past decade - and Luka is indicating he will be signing elsewhere in the summer of 2026 on a 2+1 contract? Bump this next thread next year. How does Houston best position themselves to trade for Luka in Feb 2026 or signing him in July 2026?
It's LA and he'll pick up the torch for them after LeBron retires. I believe they'll mesh just fine in the meantime. No way in hell will we ever be able to obtain his services.
I think it's pretty decent odds he stays honestly. It has a great lifestyle for him at 25, he'll be the local LA star, cap specialists can correct me if I'm wrong, but he can sign for a shorter extension and then resign for a larger veteran max. "Help, I'm a 25-year-old millionaire celebrity I'm trapped in LA" lol
His dad was already out there talking about the legacy of great Laker players, and how Luka now has the Laker Connection at his disposal. Not only will he end up netting more money in the long run because of this, he's now firmly in history's good graces wearing the purple and gold. **** everything about that trade, because unlike the doldrums of pre-LeBron LA, this time around they don't even have to wait for their next era of superstardom. This **** stinks to high heaven of collusion, but the owners won't say a word because it's all league sanctioned.
LeBron and Luka will work. LeBron can save himself for the playoffs while Luka will continue his regular season dominance. It doesn't matter that the defense isn't as good when his offense is going to make that team a whole lot better. I have no doubt the Lakers are going to end up with some legitimate center before the trading deadline. Clint Capela and Myles Turner are out there.
This was a wake up call for Doncic as good as he’s been. I’ll predict he changes his ways (eating/conditioning) and be on point.
He'll be there as long as the media likes him. If he wants out why not, but I doubt it happens in LA. The team is practically built for him if they get a good C. Lebron can play sidekick for a year or two. For us, it's slightly better that he's out of our division and with a slightly more incompetent franchise. Both franchises willing to spend but not good decision makers. We have our stars we just need a hired assassin to give our guys playoff experience, space and offensive stability.
