Report: Lakers Have ‘Sights Set’ On Luka Doncic After LeBron James Retires

According to NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Los Angeles Lakers have their “sights set” on Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic after LeBron James retires. 

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December and could retire in 2025 or 2026. 

“I’ve reported on this podcast and on the Ringer how they have their sights set for Luka in the future,” O’Connor said. “We’ll see if that works out. Dallas just made a Finals. Dallas is looking better than ever with their supporting cast. That may not work 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.”

The Mavericks can sign Doncic to a five-year, $346 million extension in 2025. That contract would be the richest deal in NBA history. 

Dallas signed Doncic to a five-year, $215 million extension in August 2021. Since entering the NBA in 2018, Doncic has established himself as one of the best players in the association. 

A future Hall of Famer, Doncic has career averages of 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks. 

Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks last season for the Mavericks while shooting 48.7% from the field, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line. He was first in the NBA in points and points per game. 

The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals in five games, while the Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round in five games. 

Dallas will not trade Doncic unless he requests a trade and the odds of that happening are very, very low. 

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers.

LeBron became the leading scorer in NBA history in 2023.