The Los Angeles Lakers made a massive move when they added star Luka Doncic ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and one insider believes they will need more moves to keep Doncic happy with the direction of the franchise.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha said he expects the Lakers to make some big additions this summer before Doncic’s extension date, saying the team is facing “pressure” to show their commitment to building a contender.
Buha noted that Doncic was coming off an NBA Finals appearance with the Dallas Mavericks last season, but this year had an early playoff exit as the Lakers were upset by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. That gives the Lakers more urgency to bolster their roster and express their commitment to the future, he said.
“The Luka factor and the fact that Luka’s extension date is a month into free agency … that’s something that, if you’re the Lakers, there should be some level of urgency, some level of pressure to find the center of the future or to at least upgrade the roster enough to appease Luka,” Buha said.
Buha added that the Lakers aren’t close to filling out a roster as complete as the Oklahoma City Thunder, but will still make moves with urgency to build a team that can contend for titles now and through the immediate future.
With Doncic having control over whether he signs the contract extension, the Lakers will face pressure to prove that they are serious about building around him, Buha said.
“I think there is still an element of urgency and pressure with the Lakers and how they build this roster this summer,” Buha said. “You also have LeBron [James], who’s going to be 41, and you’re 23. So you still have potential only a one to two-year window with this core with Luka, LeBron, and Austin [Reaves], so you have to try to maximize that.
