The Lakers have been checking off items from Luka Doncic‘s wish list this summer, and they’re encouraged that he’s taken an active role in the process, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic. Doncic’s extension restrictions won’t lift until August 2, but his enthusiasm for building the roster provides confidence that he’s committed to the organization for the long term.
Sources tell Woike that Doncic expressed his desire to management to add a “rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support.” They responded by signing free agents Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, with Marcus Smart about to join them once he clears waivers following a buyout with the Wizards. Woike’s sources say that Doncic reached out to Ayton and Smart and convinced them to come to L.A.
Woike adds that the Lakers posted an interview on Saturday where Doncic says he wants to be known as “the guy that brought championships to the city.” While details of an extension still have to be worked out, it seems increasingly likely that Doncic will have a new deal in place before the start of the season.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Longtime Warriors fan Will Richard got his wish when he wound up going to Golden State with the 56th pick in last month’s draft, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. The Warriors were the 16th of the 17 pre-draft workouts Richard conducted after winning a national title at Florida, and he believes they’re a good fit for his skills. “I like that we play fast,” Richard said. “They want you to play free, but on the other end you’ve got to guard with ball pressure and stuff like that. Just playing hard. Playing fast and playing physical.”
- Owner Mat Ishbia had visions of a dream team when he united Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the Suns turned into a cautionary tale about the dangers of free spending in the apron era, observes Zach Kram of ESPN. Second apron restrictions forced Ishbia to break up his ‘big three” this summer by trading Durant to Houston and negotiating a buyout with Beal, who will sign with the Clippers. Kram goes through the reasons behind Phoenix’s demise, including the incompatibility of its stars, unwise spending and poor trade decisions.
- John Little, who served as head coach of the Suns‘ G League affiliate last season, will join new head coach Jordan Ott’s staff, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Little is currently serving as an assistant to Summer League head coach DeMarre Carroll.
With the Suns under Jordan Ott, new coach John Little
Is expected to have
LITTLE Authority
and was signed to a
LITTLE Contract.
Next on Luka’s ‘offseason task list’: let Pestinka’s new bosses know he is ok with them negotiating a buyout for has-been, Brawny Sensation, and his son, may-never-be, Bronny Jr. Why delay the transition another year, Luka? Get it done now.
If Luka wants to win a championship this season then why in the world would he want this? Who are they getting this offseason that’s better than LeBron?
Because he knows the only realistic way for Brawny Sensation to win another championship before retirement is if Brawny is not the 2nd, preferably not the 3rd, arguably not even the 4th (“not 3, not 4, not fiiiive, not six”) go-to option. If Brawny was somewhere where he could come off the bench as the 6th or 7th man, the prospects of THAT team winning a title – based on THAT scenario for Brawny – would skyrocket and dwarf any shot the Lakers have with essentially THREE has-beens expected to play significant minutes in the upcoming season. Chances are this scenario ain’t happening in L(uk)A-L(uk)A land, Corazon5.
Are you 12? The fact that you think the Lakers could find 3 guys better than LBJ shows how much of a clown you are. LBJ wasn’t the problem last year. Interesting how the one guy with 1 let alone 4 chips and the main reason why LA had their last chip is the thing holding them back for future success is laughable. I could see if you don’t like him because he beat your favorite team but the blind hate towards this guy is puzzling.
From watching the summer league Bronny looks like a better player than Knecht. My guess is they will be offering around Knecht to any team that offers them a 2nd round pick.
Better trade Bronny. Knecht is a good 3pt shooter.
Knecht can’t play defense or pass. Bronny is better than him.
You just said Nepo Baby was better than any NBA player. That is just dumb.
who said that he was better than any NBA player? Better not say I said it.
Lakers are true contenders if healthy during playoffs IMO:
1. Luka meshes with the team playing the whole season.
2. Lakers have a true center, Ayton, and point of attack defender in Smart.
2. During last year playoffs Reaves had broken toe, Rui had a bad keg where he should have been done for the season, LeBron not fully healed from groin injury, DFS needed ankle surgery for a bad ankle all season long, and Luka got food poisoning that messed him up for at least two games (you are not 100% after food poisoning in two days).
3. Lakers have more of a bench now and have a good 8 player rotation for the playoffs; whereas they had 6 for the playoffs.
4. A healthy Maxi Kleber will play an important rotation role in the playoffs. In the 2023-24 season when the Mavs went to the finals, the Mavs were closing games with Maxi cause the team had the best plus/minus with him on the floor. That’s why Redick chose to bring him off the bench (off of months long injury) in the playoffs, as opposed to, anyone else on the Lakers bench.