Los Angeles Lakers set sights on Luka Doncic as post-LeBron James franchise star

The LA Lakers are preparing for life without LeBron James and have identified Luka Doncic to become the franchise's next star.

Los Angeles Lakers set sights on Luka Doncic as post-LeBron James franchise star

Luka Doncic and LeBron James

LeBron James is one foot closer to father-time. As a result, the Los Angeles Lakers are planning for his eventual retirement. James, who is 39, may perform at a high level. However, he cannot play more than 30 minutes per game anymore. As such, many names have floated around as the one to replace ‘King James.’ Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic remains at the top of that list.

Luka Doncic is currently the face of the Dallas Mavericks. He has become one of the best players in the game. Last season, he led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals alongside partner-in-crime Kyrie Irving. The Slovenian guard has proven himself a worthy face of not only his franchise but as well as the NBA.

I’ve reported on this podcast and on The Ringer how they have their sights set on Luka in the future. We’ll see if that works out… But the Lakers, by not trading their future picks, clearly they’re still thinking long-term at this point. They’re not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with LeBron James.
Kevin O’Connor via The Ringer
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The Lakers will face challenges in acquiring Doncic, who is locked into a 3-year, $136 million contract. He has a player option and cannot become a free agent until 2026. However, if the situation with the Mavericks turns sour, the Lakers could make a compelling offer using their draft picks and role players.

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The Lakers have a history of attracting stars and will continue to do so even after King James’ retirement. With Anthony Davis being 31, he is not the ideal choice to build around. Doncic would be the perfect answer to lead the team to future championships and the face of the franchise.

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Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic’s playful rivalry continues at Goran Dragic’s retirement game

Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic’s friendly rivalry and playful antics continued at Goran Dragic’s retirement game, “The Night of the Dragon.” The duo always captured attention with their playful antics during the All-Star breaks. During a timeout, Jokic poured water on Doncic’s head, a classic move that has become a staple of their interactions.

The two MVP frontrunners have a close personal connection, evident in their lighthearted exchange. Their playful rivalry began at All-Star weekends and has carried over to other games, despite the rivalries between their respective teams. The Dallas Mavericks will go head to head against the Denver Nuggets for the supremacy in the Western Conference.

Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki, who attended the game as a guest, had expressed his desire to see Jokic and Doncic team up in Dallas in the future. The two Eastern Europeans have a strong bond, and their on-court chemistry is undeniable. “The Night of the Dragon” celebrated Dragic’s 15-year NBA career, featuring a star-studded lineup of international players.

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