RealGM

Lakers have Luka, but very little assets to build around him.
Even A. R. is basically an expiring deal which will command a big raise.
Next draft is going to be huge, and the Lakers own their pick.
The way the hard cap is, having a very good player on rookie deal would help a lot.
Next year the books will be clean.
Luka in the meantime could try to improve his game, especially his defense and fitness. He would be rested and load managed properly for the long term.
I wouldn't be surprised if they are doing this just now.
Somebody could see it as a power play to force Lebron to ask out, but at this point who cares ? Lebron's timeline doesn't fit the new Lakers' timeline, and his contract will very likely not be extended. Even the fact of the team having Bronny is a false problem : of the 4,6 million due the next two years, only 1,25 is guaranteed.
Bottom line, unless another " miracle" happens via trade , this would be the best way to build a winner around Luka. Hopefully this is the road they want to take.

luka won’t allow it, he already had to endure the mavs trying to tank at the end of the season a few years back to keep their pick instead of a play in spot, doubt he wants to sit thru that again in his prime

Luka isn't waiting, he won't extend, and will advise Pelinka to explore a trade and get assets for him.

Mavrelous wrote:Luka isn't waiting, he won't extend, and will advise Pelinka to explore a trade and get assets for him.

It seems like Luka is being involved with the strategy of the franchise , whatever the plan really is.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281206/Lakers-Involving-Luka-Doncic-In-Offseason-Plans

Luke wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Luka isn't waiting, he won't extend, and will advise Pelinka to explore a trade and get assets for him.

It seems like Luka is being involved with the strategy of the franchise , whatever the plan really is.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281206/Lakers-Involving-Luka-Doncic-In-Offseason-Plans

Don't buy that for a minute, I saw that the Athletic reporter, Jovan Buha, said that Luka wanted DFS back, there was 0 justification to letting him go when all he got was sub MLE 3 year guaranteed deal.

Mavrelous wrote:

Luke wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Luka isn't waiting, he won't extend, and will advise Pelinka to explore a trade and get assets for him.

It seems like Luka is being involved with the strategy of the franchise , whatever the plan really is.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281206/Lakers-Involving-Luka-Doncic-In-Offseason-Plans

Don't buy that for a minute, I saw that the Athletic reporter, Jovan Buha, said that Luka wanted DFS back, there was 0 justification to letting him go when all he got was sub MLE 3 year guaranteed deal.

Ok, let's say you are right.

At that point tanking would be the only way to rebuild the team properly, adding obviously what you can get for Luka. By the way, I don't buy for a minute that Luka is going away from the new rich Lakers owner for a role player... The plan is for sure much bigger than DFS

Luke wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:

Luke wrote:
It seems like Luka is being involved with the strategy of the franchise , whatever the plan really is.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281206/Lakers-Involving-Luka-Doncic-In-Offseason-Plans

Don't buy that for a minute, I saw that the Athletic reporter, Jovan Buha, said that Luka wanted DFS back, there was 0 justification to letting him go when all he got was sub MLE 3 year guaranteed deal.

Ok, let's say you are right.

At that point tanking would be the only way to rebuild the team properly, adding obviously what you can get for Luka. By the way, I don't buy for a minute that Luka is going away from the new rich Lakers owner for a role player... The plan is for sure much bigger than DFS

This is a capped league, you can't buy success, Lakers entered FA with a flawed roster with obvious needs, they didn't target any of them, and created a new one, while 99% of the available talent was snatched up.

Luke wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Luka isn't waiting, he won't extend, and will advise Pelinka to explore a trade and get assets for him.

It seems like Luka is being involved with the strategy of the franchise , whatever the plan really is.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281206/Lakers-Involving-Luka-Doncic-In-Offseason-Plans

She's just speculating, she doesn't know anything. Luka is in Slovenia and was also on short vacations at the sea. When he was with Mavs, the most he was involved in was when they gave him a heads up about hiring Kidd. He said he doesn't like getting involved in FO stuff plus his family already said they love LA life and want to make it their new home. So, no matter what, there is a very, very slim chance he would want to leave.

I have no evidence, but my guess is Pelinka is keeping his cap clean to snipe Giannis in the post-Lebron world

Dr Aki wrote:I have no evidence, but my guess is Pelinka is keeping his cap clean to snipe Giannis in the post-Lebron world

By then Luka will be over the hills and far away - the dude is ultra competitive and won't site around for 2 years in an environment that doesn't give him a shot at a chip.

dirkules_41 wrote:

Dr Aki wrote:I have no evidence, but my guess is Pelinka is keeping his cap clean to snipe Giannis in the post-Lebron world

By then Luka will be over the hills and far away - the dude is ultra competitive and won't site around for 2 years in an environment that doesn't give him a shot at a chip.

This. I don't understand why they think they have time on their hands. Luka is not a happy loser and lets everyone know it. Any talk about 2027 today is pure arrogance.

Wouldn't be surprised if Luka ends up ditching them, Mavs fire Nico, Luka signs with them, LBJ joins too.

That gives you AD, Flagg, LBJ, Kyrie, Luka.

Anyway, on a more serious note, I don't think the Lakers should tank so that Luka can "work on his fitness". Getting in shape doesn't take longer than 8 weeks. Thus, Luka can do that now. There's no need to make that part of some bigger in season plan.

No but it would be so funny if they did, on several levels

Luka/James/Bronny for Hali/Siakam/Walker/Picks

Forward Siakam for best youth/picks package and tank time.

…Siakam/Reaves to Spurs for Castle or Harper/Vassell/Barnes/Picks

OR

…Siakam/Reaves to Pistons for Thompson or Holland/Tobias/Stewart/Picks

2026 offseason would be exciting for Lakers:
+healthy Hali
+max cap space
+development of young players (Siakam/Reaves package above)
+top 3 2026 draft pick on roster

I mean, Lakers in one season could be one-all-in-trade (via youth/picks package) joining Hali and max free agent from having a legit big 3.

Calling it now. Luka will not resign with LA.

Does Pelinka really think Luka is going to wait two years for some big FA to join? They need to start making moves now or he will be gone...

lol at all the concern trolling about Luka leaving. He isn't one of these American born players who have teams on the clock 24/7. It all just reeks of cope and bitterness.

Yank3525 wrote:lol at all the concern trolling about Luka leaving. He isn't one of these American born players who have teams on the clock 24/7. It all just reeks of cope and bitterness.

I mean FA seems pretty bare and you guys aren't stacked with assets new ownership etc. interesting times in Lakerland. Who do you guys target you think?

Kleber
Knect
Vincent
All the teaming picks they have

For Claxton works and kinda makes sense for both teams.

Sealab2024 wrote:Calling it now. Luka will not resign with LA.

Idk. LA is a nice place to live when you have 300m, Luka loves the lights and wants to be a great and Lakes are a storied franchise.

I feel like they are an FA signing away and they will build a flawed roster with two stars and Luka will put them on his back and take them to a WCF or 2nd round but cap out there.