MacMahon: NBA teams are monitoring if Luka Doncic could leave L.A.
Luka Doncic has said he's excited about the Lakers' moves this summer, but it isn't a given he will stay with them long term.
While some Los Angeles Lakers fans are dreaming of Nikola Jokic joining the franchise in the near future, Luka Doncic's future with the team remains uncertain. Doncic can opt out of his three-year contract extension signed last summer, with a potential supermax extension with Los Angeles being the current expectation. However, Lakers are not a championship contender right now, and if the team doesn't progress, there's a possibility Doncic may test free agency.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective podcast that other NBA teams might be watching Doncic's feelings towards the Lakers, should he start feeling discontent. Despite Doncic's optimism about the Lakers since signing the extension, there are teams monitoring the situation, as if the deal were to fall apart, they'd like to acquire him at a critical stage of his career.
The Lakers' ownership situation is also fluid, but it's unlikely to significantly impact Doncic's future. At 27 with an MVP-caliber season behind him, Doncic is potentially in the early stages of his prime and could continue playing at a superstar level well into his 30s. He hasn't won an NBA championship yet, but winning it all is his top priority.
The Lakers lost LeBron James and several other key players this summer, but added some good complementary players. They could be exiting in the first round of the 2027 playoffs, or they might be one piece away from contending for the title by the 2027-28 season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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