The Los Angeles Lakers have been active in reshaping their roster during the offseason, but the one move they haven’t made is grabbing another superstar to partner with Luka Doncic for the long haul.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic were both floated as possible targets. The Lakers tracked Giannis’ situation in Milwaukee, where questions about his long-term future have persisted, and the thought of pairing Doncic with Jokic sparked plenty of fan excitement.
Yet no such blockbuster deal took place. According to insider Anthony Irwin, that hesitation may have been fueled not by lack of interest but by Doncic‘s own summer performance.
Speaking with Jovan Buha, Irwin suggested that Doncic‘s dazzling run at EuroBasket 2025 made the Lakers think twice about chasing another star.
“Now, the other theory I have in the notion of Luka applying some pressure here. I think Luka obviously had an incredible tournament. In my opinion, the best player in that tournament, from start to finish or from his start to his finish,” Irwin explained.
“And I kind of felt like he finished that tournament and said, ‘I’m feeling good’….. I think it’s altogether possible that another thing that could’ve come of that is Luka finishing that tournament and being like, ‘I feel good. We gotta go for it while I feel this way. LeBron also looks great.'”
Doncic certainly lived up to that billing. Although Slovenia fell short of a medal, he was nothing short of spectacular.
He averaged 34.7 points per game, leading all scorers, while also ranking second in assists with 7.1 and adding 8.6 rebounds to his stat line.
Why Giannis and Jokic remain out of reach
Los Angeles’ patience also reflects the reality of the league. Antetokounmpo continues to be the centerpiece in Milwaukee, where the Bucks have gone to great lengths to build a contender around him.
Jokic, on the other hand, appears fully committed to Denver after bringing the Nuggets their first championship and cementing his place as the face of the franchise.
Trading for either star would require gutting the Lakers‘ depth, a risk that might not be worth it with Doncic hitting his stride and LeBron still productive.
Instead, the team has opted for smart, steady moves this offseason, acquiring players such as Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton to solidify the supporting cast.
The Lakers have made it clear they want to maximize Doncic‘s prime years, and they may still pursue another superstar down the line.
For now, though, his remarkable summer and the franchise’s balanced roster may convince them to let things play out.
Read the full article here
