LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Lakers
Getty
LeBron James and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz.
While LeBron James faces an uncertain future, Los Angeles Lakers president Rob Pelinka made clear where he stands in the organization’s hierarchy.
Pelinka still considers the 40-year-old James a co-star alongside the team’s new franchise centerpiece, Luka Dončić. Speaking with reporters in Slovenia, Pelinka outlined his plan to build around the two stars.
“Absolutely, the title next year is our plan,” Pelinka told reporters, per the Slovenian newspaper Ekipa. “With Dončić and LeBron, we have two top players. Now we want to build a real team around them.”
LeBron’s Expiring Lakers Contract Looms
James’ future became a major storyline this offseason after he exercised his $52.6 million player option without signing an extension. For the first time in his career, James will play on an expiring deal without a player option, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Despite that uncertainty, Pelinka is banking on James to team up with Dončić and the Lakers’ offseason additions to push the franchise back toward the NBA Finals.
Ayton and Smart Join the Lakers
“It was good to see new basketball players coming to training,” Pelinka said. “Deandre Ayton is a great reinforcement and such a center will be key for Luka’s passes. Marcus Smart will contribute on defense. But first, we want Luka to focus completely on this tournament with Slovenia. Then he can focus on the Lakers again.”
Pelinka, working in tandem with Dončić, helped lure Ayton and Smart to Los Angeles after they reached the buyout market.
“To build a team to win the championship,” Dončić said when asked about his role in the recruitment. “I think we had two great, great guys. I played against them before, never with them. So now I’m happy they are on my team.”
Ayton Fills Critical Void
Deandre Ayton, Lakers
Getty Deandre Ayton fills the Los Angeles Lakers’ desperate need for a starting center.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in Dončić’s draft class, was the middle anchor of the Phoenix Suns’ 2021 Finals run. The 7-foot center averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks last season with the Portland Trail Blazers while shooting 56.6%. Ayton is represented by Bill Duffy of WME Sports, who also represents Dončić.
The Lakers were exposed in the playoffs last spring without a reliable center after trading Anthony Davis in the midseason blockbuster that brought Dončić to Los Angeles.
Ayton’s arrival is expected to fill that void.
Motivated Smart Aches for Redemption
LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Lakers
Getty LeBron James and Marcus Smart turn from rivals to teammates.
Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, steps into the Lakers’ top perimeter defender role after Dorian Finney-Smith departed for the Houston Rockets in free agency.
The 31-year-old guard has struggled with injuries, appearing in just 20 games for Memphis last season before being dealt to Washington at the trade deadline. He finished the year playing 15 games with the Wizards, averaging 9.3 points, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 18.7 minutes off the bench.
Still, team officials and league observers believe Smart could regain his form in Los Angeles.
“I’m likewise told that Smart (like Dončić) has been working hard on his body this summer. Conditioning was an undeniable issue for Smart last season, but the Lakers were convinced during their pursuit that they will see a sleeker version of the 2021-22 DPOY,” longtime NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his July 20 newsletter, “The Stein Line.”
The Lakers’ roster overhaul underscores a new reality in Los Angeles: James may still be a co-star, but the organization’s long-term commitment now revolves around Dončić.