When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, star forward LeBron James represents the past and the present, but Luka Doncic represents the future.
During a recent interview with CNBC, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss made it clear that the Lakers plan to build around Doncic moving forward, regardless of what James decides to do.
Jeanie Buss says Lakers plan to build around Luka Doncic moving forward
James is on the last year of his current contract with the Lakers, and he has remained non-comital about the future.
“The partnership will give us the stability to continue to move forward as we build towards a team around Dončić,” Buss said. “We couldn’t be more proud that he is a Laker. He is a young all-star that the fans love to see.”
Elsewhere in the same interview, Buss reveals that James has provided the organization with no indication regarding his plans for the future.
“Never say never, but you know, he certainly hasn’t given an indication,” Buss said. “He’s earned the right to decide how his career will go, and you know, he continues to impress.”
A recent report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin suggests that the Lakers would welcome James back next season if he wanted to continue his career in L.A., but it sure sounds like the days of the Lakers trying to build a team around James are over, and understandably so.
James is still a productive player; remarkably so given his age. But, Doncic is 15 years younger than James and probably hasn't even reached his prime as a player yet.
The Lakers would be remiss not to try to do everything in their power to build a perennial contender around Doncic. This fact isn't lost on James, either, as he has previously referred to the Lakers as Doncic's team.
Everyone knew that the Lakers were ultimately going to make the switch and start building around Doncic once they acquired him prior to the trade deadline last season, and hearing Buss acknowledge that plan publicly only further solidifies things.
It will be interesting to see how L.A.'s plan to pivot and build around Doncic impacts James' decision-making process after the season, if at all.
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