Lakers predicted to sign $87M Finals champion to replace Deandre Ayton, lob threat for Luka Doncic
This would be a huge get for the Lakers this summer.
Lakers predicted to sign $87M Finals champion to replace Deandre Ayton, lob threat for Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Lakers were right on the verge of legitimately contending for an NBA Championship.
LeBron James has made it clear since the summer that he wants to finish his career on a contending team. “LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future.
He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. ” Now, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, things have become much more difficult in Los Angeles.
If the Lakers want to finish the regular season strong, they will have to rely heavily on Deandre Ayton. “If Ayton proves that he can thrive in a consistently featured offensive role, then those who have written him off as a player on the outskirts of career stability will be proven wrong. He could either accept his player option or enter free agency in 2026 with a healthier narrative following him and an opportunity for a multi-year contract presented to him.