Rumor: Lakers ideally like Luka Doncic as attainable face of franchise after LeBron

That is how issues go in Lakers nation: LeBron James signed a two-year, $104 million contract to return to the Lakers in July and simply greater than a month later hypothesis has began on what stars the Lakers will go after subsequent.

Enter Luka Doncic, who led the Mavericks to the Finals in June and has two assured seasons plus a participant’s choice remaining on his present deal. Doncic, by all reviews, is as blissful as he has been in Dallas, main a crew that not solely was taking part in final June however is ready up in addition to anybody within the West to make a return journey or two within the coming years.

That isn’t stopping the Lakers, who’ve their eye on him, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said during a recent episode of his podcast “The Mismatch.”

“I’ve reported on this podcast and on The Ringer how [the Lakers] have their sights set for Luka. We’ll see if that works out. Dallas simply made a Finals, Dallas is wanting higher than ever with their supporting solid. That won’t work out, however the Lakers by not buying and selling their future picks clearly are nonetheless considering long-term at this level. They are not going all in such as you would possibly anticipate many groups to do with James.”

Let’s break this one down utilizing bullet factors.

• In fact the Lakers are watching Doncic. A 12 months in the past, each crew within the league was watching the connection between Doncic and the Mavericks to see if issues would possibly begin to break aside.

• Now, issues are going easily in Dallas on all fronts: Kyrie Irving appears blissful, the addition of Derrick Lively — who seems like a perfect large to pair with Doncic — has been seamless, and so they made a visit to the Finals. Due to all that, different entrance places of work have turned their eyes elsewhere. Doncic would favor to remain in Dallas if the crew is aggressive and issues now are pretty much as good as they’ve been, league sources informed NBC Sports activities. He is way more more likely to lengthen with the Mavericks than depart.

• All that won’t finish the hypothesis.

• Doncic is not going to be the one famous person the Lakers are monitoring. That is the truth of the NBA. There are, at any given second, perhaps 10 true franchise cornerstone, “we will win a title with that man as our greatest participant” guys within the league, and different groups at all times have one eye on all of them. Simply in case conditions change.

• If a type of superstars begins wanting round, can the Lakers lure that participant to Los Angeles? Will they’ve a adequate commerce package deal to make his present crew blissful and nonetheless have sufficient of a core that this famous person needs to come back as a result of he can contend? They’re the Lakers, and that comes with benefits — the model, the fan base, and the town the place gamers wish to stay — however ask the Knicks if the town and model alone are sufficient.

• When LeBron retires, a part of the plan is to have Anthony Davis grow to be the face of the franchise, the long run Corridor of Famer with the rings and gold medals. Nevertheless, Davis is just not a ball-handling shot creator, and the Lakers might want to pair him with a famous person who can set him up as LeBron usually has. These gamers are in brief provide.

• O’Conner’s assertion that the Lakers are holding on to their picks is true — GM Rob Pelinka is aware of he will get one swing at this. He is ready for the precise pitch. That doesn’t imply he is ready for Donic (or Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Nikola Jokic, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or whoever) to shake free, however he is not going to offer these gamers up for an overpriced position participant. He is making an attempt to be affected person.

• LeBron turns 40 in December. Pelinka can solely be so affected person. Loads of Lakers followers suppose he is already been too affected person.