Lakers have clear path to sign Thunder's $87M Luka Doncic lob threat after 'domino effect'
The Lakers are set to have a big offseason to help contend for years to come. Due to a money shortage with the Thunder, LA has a way to poach someone who averaged a near double-double this season.
Lakers have clear path to sign Thunder's $87M Luka Doncic lob threat after 'domino effect' originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Lakers are one loss away from their season ending at the hands of the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder .
Once the season ends, all focus will shift to free agency. The Lakers will have more cap space this summer than they have had in a long time. Free agency will be centered around building a roster around Luka Doncic.
“The Lakers have a megastar in Dončić and a unique amount of potential cap space for a title hopeful this offseason. This summer will go a long way toward determining how well they can build a championship contender around Luka over the next few years,” Silver Screen and Roll’s Bryan Toporek wrote. One major position of need for Los Angeles will be center, especially if they part ways with Deandre Ayton.
Jaxson Hayes is likely to return due to his relationship with Doncic, but the Lakers will still need a starting-caliber center. Look no further than Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein. “Hartenstein is a bruiser who could set bone-crushing screens for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rumbling to the rim to catch lobs and perform Gortat screens.