Luca Doncic embraces the leader role, Lakers will shift focus from LeBron to Doncic
10:15pm, 26 July 2025Basketball
Los Angeles have a lot of influential voices, and the latest one seems to be conveying his point.
Luca Doncic did not intend to join Hollywood stars when he arrived in the deal in February.
He seemed to go easily at first, lacking the precise focus that helped him build the legend, basically admitting that the transition from the core of the Dallas Mavericks to being the short- and long-term savior of the Lakers would take some time.
adjustment curve may not be that long.
Doncic now has taken on quite a lot of this powerful attraction when LeBron James is the core of the Lakers.
James agreed to return in June with a one-year, $52.6 million player option, while admitting he was very aware that the torch had reached Doncic's hands - whether he wanted it or not.
"We understand the difficulties of winning games now while preparing for the future," James's agent Ritchie Paul told ESPN when the news broke that James will return to Los Angeles, his 23rd time in the NBA season, and his 41st birthday will be on New Year's Eve.
"We do want to evaluate what is the best for LeBron at this current stage of life and career. He hopes to use every remaining season he has, the Lakers understand that, support him, and hope he can get the best."
When the Lakers made the decision they thought were the best, building a winner team around James, the focus had shifted to building a winner team around Doncic, 26.
James' agent mentioned the future of the Lakers? Will be led by a player who looks like a forward but plays point guard, who shoots fearlessly and has an unmatched field vision.
New aid center DeAndre Ayton and defender Marcus Smart are seen as Doncic's suitors. Ayton may not attract many NBA teams, but with Doncic's pick-and-roll ability, he may become the big player the Lakers need to be able to not be bullied in the interior.
After Marcus Smart joining, the Lakers now have a guard who can shoot and defend, which helps prevent opponents from exposing Doncic's weaknesses without the ball.
Even new players like 6-foot-8 forward Jack Laravia were contacted by Doncic and were believed to have the potential to shine under the influence of star players.
However, the Lakers should move forward and let Hachimura and Austin Rivers play with Doncic and James in the starting lineup. Doncic, James, Hachimura and Rivers will play with Ayton and sometimes appear on the court with Jackson Hayes.
By all the signs, Doncic is now fully committed to Los Angeles. It was reported that the Mavericks decided to let their star players go due to health issues, and his new role in joining the Lakers clearly inspired him to adopt a diet and fitness program that could potentially lead the Lakers back to their former heights.
At the very least, focusing on health can help Doncic avoid recent soft tissue problems like calf strains that have prevented him from playing when the trade occurs. He played 50 games between Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers last season, the fewest games in his seven NBA seasons.
Maybe the Mavericks were stupid at the time and did not wait until Doncic recovered. Although, perhaps if the health factor is not a big part of the post-trade assessment, the Mavericks wouldn't have promised Doncic to get healthy.
Among all this, James' return to the Lakers is the highest affirmation of him. James's agent admits that the chance to win the championship again is fleeting. This may be the last attempt.
Maybe $52.6 million will convince him to go back to Los Angeles for another season, but another star devoted himself to and recruiting talents in his eyes, which cannot be ignored.
When James is the Lakers' primary recruiter, looking for puzzles that make his game go smoothly, this brings a physical and mental burden. Now, most of the burden has been lifted.
James can focus on basketball and keep his whole season healthy through his own fitness at an advanced age.
Although the season is over, James is still full of motivation. Mid-season trading rumors have shown this. Delegation of power is not easy, but when both parties respect each other, it becomes simpler.
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