Report: Lakers Set Sights On Reeling In Luka Doncic

LeBron James signed a one-year deal this summer with the LA Lakers, with a player option for a 2nd year. But the King will be turning 40 this season, and he will only be around for so much longer. According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the Lakers are already making plans to build their future, post-LeBron, around superstar Luka Doncic.

Of course, Luka is a Dallas Maverick right now, and led them to the NBA Finals this past season. But for the franchise that considers itself the league's crown jewel, those are just minor details.

“[The Lakers] have their sights set on Luka Doncic in the future… But the Lakers might not trade in their future picks… They’re not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with LeBron James.”

— Kevin O'Connor 👀

(via @ringernba)pic.twitter.com/57l0ogSUli
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 24, 2024

“[The Lakers] have their sights set on Luka Doncic in the future," said O'Connor. "By not trading their future picks… they’re clearly not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with LeBron James.”

As he added, Doncic seems pretty set right now in Big D. "Dallas just made a Finals, Dallas is looking better than ever with their supporting cast."

But the Lakers are the Lakers. Hollywood. Sun. Fun. The LA coast. They certainly could try to woo Doncic, who is currently right in the middle of a five-year, $215 million contract with the Mavs. He does have a player option after 2026 for the final year of that deal. And 2026 just happens to be when LeBron's contract ends.

Last season, Doncic led the league in scoring with 33.9 points, added 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists, was first-team All-NBA, and finished 3rd in MVP balloting.

This may be a pipe dream for the Lakers, but no one can ever say that they don't set their sights high.