The commerce taking Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has energized the NBA, at a second when offers appeared harder than ever to execute.
Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison labored in secrecy for round three weeks to execute the commerce, because the pair have individually revealed of their press conferences.
Luka Doncic had regarded like being on the Dallas Mavericks for all times, earlier than being traded away at simply 25-years-old, in a transfer that challenges the Slovenian to now show his former staff unsuitable.
Negotiations went within the Lakers favor, however there was one question the staff had, a fear about whether or not Doncic will finally recommit to the staff in 2026.
It’s as much as the Lakers to construct round Doncic and make the staff really feel at dwelling, however for now, it is a second of optimism for the staff, and no actual motive to fret about him not sticking round.
The Luka Doncic contract doubt will nag on the Lakers. He’s not eligible for a supermax extension because of the commerce, that means that financially, all groups have an equal shot at him if he hits free company in 2026.
Might that, then imply Luka Doncic might staff up with fellow European celebrity Nikola Jokic on the Denver Nuggets?
The duo have reworked the NBA over the previous few years, and simply final week Patrick Beverley was on report expressing pleasure they could sooner or later get to play collectively.
CBS Sports activities’ Sam Quinn responded to the Doncic and Jokic query concerning the Nuggets, and flipped it the opposite approach – suggesting the massive Serbian heart might be a part of the LA Lakers in 2027.
Quinn defined: “I do know individuals don’t wish to hear this… However Jokic solely turns into eligible at no cost company one yr later than Luka does.
“The Lakers have a lot cleaner books than the Nuggets. LA tends to be extra fascinating than Denver.
“In the event that they had been to associate up, it will in all probability be as Lakers.”
Whether or not the NBA ever will get to see Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic collectively is unclear. However who would have thought we’d see Doncic and LeBron James play collectively?
It’s actually with Doncic’s grasp to make it occur with Jokic in Denver if he actually needed to, and if there was wage feasibility to take action.
But when he’s just a bit extra affected person, Nikola Jokic might head to LA. What higher piece so as to add round Doncic than the very best participant within the NBA, maybe coinciding at a time when LeBron James has lastly retired?
It appears unthinkable, and Denver would struggle tooth and nail to cease the four-times MVP hitting free company in any respect.
However who is aware of? The previous week has taught us as soon as once more, to assume massive.
