Lakers Get Extremely Positive Update About Luka Doncic's Future

The Los Angeles Lakers have shifted their focus from LeBron James to Luka Doncic as the future cornerstone of the franchise, a change that became evident over recent weeks. This transition was inevitable following general manager Rob Pelinka's blockbuster trade to acquire Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, signaling a long-term strategic move away from James.

Despite Doncic being central to the Lakers' plans, the team must secure him with a long-term contract. He has one season remaining on his current deal, plus a player option for a second year, and is expected to pursue a substantial extension either before or after the 2025-26 NBA season.

A new development has bolstered optimism in Los Angeles about retaining Doncic long-term. ESPN insider Tim McMahon highlighted that Doncic's active involvement in recruiting players—such as his contact with Deandre Ayton—demonstrates unprecedented engagement. This contrasts with his earlier career approach of avoiding front-office matters and signifies strong alignment with Lakers management.

In the 2024-25 season, after joining the Lakers, Doncic played 28 games, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His shooting efficiency included 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.