Luka Doncic to Lakers: 3 Trade Scenarios That Could Bring the Mavericks Star to LA

Imagine the Slovenian superstar in Purple and gold! It seems like an impossible dream, but it is not. Chances are that Lakers to recruit Luka Doncic in two years. At least that’s what the numbers suggest. Notably, Dallas The guard had a commendable last season, reaching his first NBA Finals, and unfortunately fell short against the The CeltsWith Kyrie Irving by his side, Luka’s Magic He won’t give up after just one try. So how will the Lakers lure the star point guard?

LA didn’t really make any new additions to its roster this offseason, with the exception of bringing in JJ Redick as its new head coach. He made it clear from the start that he would focus more on “player development” He preferred the NBA title to victory, even though he claimed that the Lakers were a championship-caliber team. However, things will not remain the same after LeBron James leaves. The team will be left with a 14-year Anthony Davis.

While no one thought about the team’s dark future, Lakers Nations Trevor Lane and Daniel Starkand have taken over the buzz. It all started when Ringtone Kevin O’Connor reported that the Show on the lake to their “aiming set” on Luka Doncic in the future, especially after the post-LeBron James era. Following the blockbuster report, here are the possible scenarios that can help the Los Angeles team.

How can the Lakers lure Luka Doncic to Los Angeles?

From the outset, it is important to address Luka DoncicDirk Nowitzki’s strong bond with the Mavericks. After Dirk Nowitzki left, the Texas team put the entire weight of the franchise on his shoulders. While he struggled without any support for the first four seasons, Mark Cuban and his teammates encouraged him with the Kyrie Irving trade. And they almost won the title.

The team has now recruited another sniper, Klay Thompson. So it’s pretty clear that Luka Doncic isn’t moving for at least the next two years, while he’s also eligible for an extension. Let’s look at the possible scenarios.

1. A gigantic hole in the Lakers’ projected salary cap

Looking at the current Lakers roster, Anthony Davis And LeBron James occupy the majority of the cap space with their embellished contracts. AD is currently on a 5-year, $189 million deal that expires after the 2024-25 season. In the meantime, King James recently signed a two-year contract worth $101 million.

Assuming Bron plays two more seasons and AD gets an extension heading into the 2026-27 season, the team will have a ton of room under the salary cap. Notably, The eyebrow would only take 35% of the team’s purse, according to Trevor Lane. This will ultimately give the Los Angeles team the strength it needs to hunt down Luka Doncic.

2. The post-Kyrie Irving era could work in favor of Jeanie Buss and her teammates

It’s important to note that Luka Doncic is eligible for a super-max contract extension in the 2025 offseason. Lakers Nation Experts have strongly suggested that the Slovenian player would accept the offer, but would also sense a trade after-Kyrie Irving The 32-year-old will enter his 14th season in two months, and Insider doubts the star will continue with the same force in the years to come.

This will ultimately leave Luka Doncic in the lurch, once again. Additionally, Trevor Lane pointed out the recent trend in the NBA world and used it to further bolster his argument.

Lane added, “What’s happening more and more in today’s NBA is that instead of moving players in free agency, instead of accumulating salary cap space, despite what we saw with the 76ers this summer with Paul George, more and more stars are moving via trades.” The Insider suggested that Luka Doncic would not wait until his super-max contract expires, but would instead take the plunge via a trade.

More importantly, the Lakers didn’t really make an effort this offseason to add players to their roster. This saved a lot of future picks and ultimately made the Lakers strong enough to trade down the road in the coming years. Interestingly, even AD came to the LA team via a trade that cost Brandon Ingram, Lonzo BallJosh Hart, three first-round picks and a pick swap.

3. Mindset must change; Lakers must hope for a Luka-led trade

Even though the Lakers have all the assets in the NBA world, will Luka Doncic break away from the Mavs fold? This is one of the important questions that the Los Angeles team should ask itself before taking an interest in the star point guard. Daniel Starkand answered this question by stating: “For this to be possible, I think it has to be driven largely by Luka.”

Starkand continued Lakers Nation“I think he would be unhappy in Dallas. He would say, ‘I’m not going to renew my contract here. You trade me before you lose for nothing.’ That might have to happen before he signs the extension, because if he signs the extension and he’s under contract for four or five years, he’s going to lose some of his leverage.” For now, all of these scenarios seem like a pipe dream for the Lakers, especially as they struggle to strengthen their roster.

Anyway, what do you think about these scenarios? Will Luka Doncic wear the Purple and gold Any threads? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks and more in the video below.