The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in a trade nobody saw coming. The superstar led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season and made first-team All-NBA for five straight years. Luka should have been untouchable, but somehow the Lakers landed him.
Everything is about building around Doncic now. The Lakers immediately traded for an athletic rim-rolling center, but the trade was rescinded after Mark Williams failed his physical. Fans knew about the injuries, but the medicals showed further red flags. Because the trade deadline passed, all LA could do was call off the deal. The Lakers are left with a massive hole at the five and only buyout targets to fill it.
Botching the first move of the Luka Doncic era is not a great way for Rob Pelinka and the front office to start their partnership. The pressure is immediately on as number 77 is extension eligible in August and can become a free agent in the summer of 2026. The opening fumble could be the start of a nightmare.
Lakers' failure to start the Luka Doncic era could destroy the franchise
Jaxson Hayes is the only true center on their standard roster. Behind him is an injured Christian Wood, who has not played this season, and two big men on two-way contracts. LA has been going small with Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt, or Rui Hachimura at the five for the remainder of the minutes.
Luka loves to attack in the pick-and-roll. He wants a lob target and vertical spacer at the five to open things up. Hayes and Doncic share an agent. The two are excited to work together, but the seven-footer has been a backup in his first five NBA seasons. The Lakers need an upgrade and nearly had one. The deal falling through could keep them out of contention and add more stress to this offseason.
What does the franchise do if Doncic turns down an extension? Do they shop him and hope to recoup significant assets? The Lakers cannot allow him to reach unrestricted free agency in 2026. They must sign or trade him before he gets there. If this season ends in disaster and LeBron wants out, Luka may decide to search for a better situation.
The Lakers have just the draft picks they got back in the Mark Williams trade. If Luka and LeBron depart, it could be a painful rebuild in LA. Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss cannot let that happen.
The Lakers are committed to the five-time All-Star and want to keep him in LA as the face of the franchise for the next decade-plus, but there is work to do. Doncic wants to play for a contender with pieces that fit around him. LA tried to add one, but could not make it happen.
Luka Doncic is expected to play his first game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. It will start a new era, but how long will it last? The Lakers need things to go better than the Mark Williams trade or Doncic could be asking out. It was not the ideal start, but Los Angeles has time to make it right. The pressure is on and building, but the Lakers are no strangers to the heat.