Luka Doncic‘s transition to the Los Angeles Lakers has been anything but conventional. The blockbuster trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles stunned the NBA world, and now, just a few games into his Lakers tenure, the team is already working to optimize the roster around him.
However, a key trade that was meant to bring in a rim-protecting center, Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.
Despite this setback, Doncic remains patient and optimistic about his new team’s potential.
Doncic Embracing the Lakers’ Vision
Following the failed trade, Doncic made it clear that he is focused on working with what the Lakers currently have.
“At the end of the day, this is our team,” Doncic said. “This is the team we have, and we’re going to show we can do everything.”
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Doncic and his camp have not expressed frustration over the Lakers‘ inability to finalize the Williams trade. He noted that Doncic was aware that finding the ideal center might take until the summer, but he remains impressed with how quickly the Lakers front office moved to address his needs.
The five-time All-Star has played only two games for Los Angeles so far, both against the Utah Jazz, and he has been on a minutes restriction after recovering from a calf strain. Doncic has averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 23.5 minutes per game, still shaking off the rust after missing significant time due to injury.
“I think we can go very far,” Doncic said after the Lakers’ loss to the Jazz. “Obviously, today I felt a little bit rusty, two games in after my injury-turnovers, missed free throws, so I gotta do way better. But now we’re approaching this break, so we gotta rest.”
The Dynamic Between Doncic and LeBron James
One of the biggest questions surrounding Doncic’s move to Los Angeles is how he and LeBron James will coexist on the court. Both players have ball-dominant tendencies, and as James approaches 40, the Lakers‘ long-term plans are clearly centered around Doncic.
James acknowledged the adjustment period but remains confident in their potential as a duo.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do,” James said ahead of the NBA All-Star Game. “We only had two games so far, and I believe he’s been on a minutes restriction since he came back from the calf. He hasn’t played since Christmas, I believe. As he continues to get in form, I think we could be really good going down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.”
Doncic‘s contract situation will be a key focus for the Lakers moving forward. He is signed through the 2025-26 season, with a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, which he is expected to decline.
The Lakers will attempt to secure him with a long-term extension, moving away from the $345 million supermax deal he would have been eligible for had he stayed in Dallas.
Instead, Doncic could opt for a shorter extension, such as a two-plus-one deal worth $165.3 million, positioning himself for a potential five-year, $418 million contract in the future.
The Lakers are committed to reshaping the roster to maximize Doncic‘s strengths, but some moves will have to wait until the offseason. Despite the missed opportunity with Williams, Doncic appears content with the direction the team is heading in and remains focused on what he and his teammates can accomplish this season.
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