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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the offseason with key roster decisions ahead, but their top priority is securing the future of their current core—starting with Luka Doncic.
The All-NBA guard is eligible for a contract extension, and the Lakers are reportedly prepared to offer him whatever he wants.
Doncic has already expressed a desire to remain in Los Angeles despite the shocking trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks—a team he once hoped to retire with.
Some have speculated that LeBron James could play a role in convincing Doncic to commit long-term, but LeBron made it clear that isn’t his responsibility.
“I think—no, I know—Luka knows how I feel about him,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “But ultimately, that trade was made with the future in mind. That’s not up to me. Luka has to decide what’s best for him. He’s 26, I’m 40. He can’t base his career around me. That’s just the truth.
“Of course I hope he stays long term. Laker fans f—ing love him here. L.A. has embraced him. We love him as a teammate and a brother. But in the end, he’s got to make that call. I’m not going to be around much longer.”
When the blockbuster trade happened, it was clear that Doncic was being positioned as the Lakers’ franchise cornerstone. LeBron, nearing the twilight of his career, understands that the team’s direction now revolves around Doncic—not him.
This offseason could mark the official start of the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles if he signs an extension. All signs point to him staying, and Lakers fans have every reason to be optimistic about the future.