If Luka & the Lakers don't work out

Baz · Post #1 » by **Baz** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:12 pm

Hypothetically where is the realistic landing spots for Luka if he opted out of his player option and wanted to leave the Lakers in 2026?

I'm not asking about reading Luka's mind, just what teams would be able to make a realistic push with cap space for his signature and who'd be the prime contenders.

Triple M · Post #2 » by **Triple M** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:16 pm

Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

The Master · Post #3 » by **The Master** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:16 pm

San Antonio would be a favourite, with Wemby on rookie deal they can easily make it work.

But he'll stay in LA.

Baz · Post #4 » by **Baz** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:19 pm

Triple M wrote:Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

I don't think it's realistic Luka would be traded
(us all a couple months ago)

This is a hypothetical. Miss me with these kind of replies please and let us have fun

Edrees · Post #5 » by **Edrees** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:33 pm

Baz wrote:
Triple M wrote:Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

I don't think it's realistic Luka would be traded
(us all a couple months ago)

This is a hypothetical. Miss me with these kind of replies please and let us have fun

but that's the point. If you made a thread about it probably wont happen. Gotta think outside the box. LIke where Wemby will be traded to. If you're using the luka trade as an example, that means you have to predict a random trade nobody will see coming at all.

NBA4Lyfe · Post #6 » by **NBA4Lyfe** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:36 pm

i told you when this trade was announced it wouldnt work, and yall thought i was crazy

TFJava · Post #7 » by **TFJava** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:41 pm

I wouldn't be surprised if he teamed up with Jokic with the Denver Nuggets.

Baz · Post #8 » by **Baz** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:46 pm

Edrees wrote:
Baz wrote:
Triple M wrote:Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

I don't think it's realistic Luka would be traded
(us all a couple months ago)

This is a hypothetical. Miss me with these kind of replies please and let us have fun

but that's the point. If you made a thread about it probably wont happen. Gotta think outside the box. LIke where Wemby will be traded to. If you're using the luka trade as an example, that means you have to predict a random trade nobody will see coming at all.

I think it's entirely possible he opts out can we stop pretending this is so far fetched it's not worth at least a hypothetical discussion

The Laker Kid · Post #9 » by **The Laker Kid** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:46 pm

He's going to the Raptors. Tons of snow like Slovenia, and they have Poutine and Molson.

Baz · Post #10 » by **Baz** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:49 pm

The Laker Kid wrote:He's going to the Raptors. Tons of snow like Slovenia, and they have Poutine and Molson.

Manifesting this for the Raptors

Tracymcgoaty · Post #11 » by **Tracymcgoaty** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 11:50 pm

He'll go back to Dallas.

Hope you got what you were looking for.

thelead · Post #12 » by **thelead** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:00 am

the nickname is Luka 'Magic' :wink:

https://www.si.com/nba/luka-doncic-jamahl-mosley-share-moment-lakers-magic

Baz · Post #13 » by **Baz** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:02 am

Tracymcgoaty wrote:He'll go back to Dallas.

Hope you got what you were looking for.

No he won't.
Lakers fans this post is not for you it's a fun hypothetical where the rest of us can manifest bad juju for you because your franchise is privileged. We know he will probably re-sign. Enjoy your privilege and go away

FreeBird23 · Post #14 » by **FreeBird23** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:02 am

TFJava wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if he teamed up with Jokic with the Denver Nuggets.

Baz · Post #15 » by **Baz** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:03 am

thelead wrote:the nickname is Luka 'Magic'

https://www.si.com/nba/luka-doncic-jamahl-mosley-share-moment-lakers-magic

This is a popular option in Mavs fan circles. For a start we know he looks better in blue

Marvin Martian · Post #16 » by **Marvin Martian** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:13 am

Triple M wrote:Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

Dwight Howard left the Lakers to join the Rockets.

Luka is not guaranteed to stay in LA.

SlimShady83 · Post #17 » by **SlimShady83** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:41 am

Laker Law sets In ... Every team has to give Lakers a FRP, yes every team It's a new thing

All seriousness If they can't sign Luka, they're screwed

reddyplayerone · Post #18 » by **reddyplayerone** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:45 am

A Mavs fan created this thread lol

BlazersBroncos · Post #19 » by **BlazersBroncos** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:49 am

I think there is only a small chance he leaves but if he does - its SAS or DEN (If they somehow clear salary).

If DEN had a max slot avaliable when Luka hit FA I would be very worried as a LA fan, but the chances they can pull that off are slim to nil as they would have to burn a season or two moving off salary for expirings of less talent for the chance of Luka - a route that is really not realistic when they are a good team as is.

Myth · Post #20 » by **Myth** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:52 am

Marvin Martian wrote:
Triple M wrote:Why would he leave the Lakers? When was the last time a superstar decided to leave the Lakers? Shaq? I dont think it's realistic at all that Luka decides to leave

Dwight Howard left the Lakers to join the Rockets.

Luka is not guaranteed to stay in LA.

That’s because he clashed with Kobe. Luka can probably wait for LeBron to retire and Luka will have the run of the place.