• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

The Lakers Failed to Cash In on Luka Dončić Heist

The Lakers won the trade of the century when they acquired Luka Dončić, but now must contend with uncertainty.

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Lakers won the trade of the century in February, acquiring Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The stunning move appeared so lopsided that Mavs GM Nico Harrison became an immediate pariah. 

But L.A. was bounced from the first round of the NBA playoffs Wednesday, as the Timberwolves defeated them 103–96 to complete a 4-1 series win. 

Many thought pairing Dončić with LeBron James would be sufficient for a deep postseason run, even without a true starting center in place of Davis. But the Wolves offense, led by Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid was enough to overpower a Lakers team that got little help from its bench. 

The Lakers now must contend with several realities: James’s Hall of Fame career soon coming to a conclusion, Dončić’s expensive future in purple and gold, and a hard-to-miss churn of head coaches for one of the most storied franchises. 

When James arrived in Los Angeles in 2018, he signed a four-year, $153 million deal, which he opted out of shortly after the team won the 2020 NBA Finals. Since then, James has hinted at retirement multiple times. He signed a trio of two-year deals with one-year player options—and opted out the first two times—a leverage strategy that gives the front office a hint of uncertainty as a way to guarantee roster improvement.

So this June, the Lakers are once again facing the same question with the 40-year-old, who was noncommittal when asked about his future Wednesday night. “I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to that,” James told reporters.

Dončić, meanwhile, is eligible for a contract extension this summer. He is currently in the middle of a five-year, $215.2 million extension he signed in 2021 that ends with a player option for the 2026–2027 season. Before getting traded by the Mavericks, he was eligible for a five-year extension worth $345 million. But the trade took that off the table. 

With the NBA salary cap expected to spike with the league’s new media rights deal starting next season, ESPN front office analyst Bobby Marks previously suggested Dončić signs a three-year, $165 million extension this summer with a player option for the 2028–2029 season. The deal would get Dončić to 10 years of NBA service and allow him to eventually recoup the money lost from the Mavericks trade. 

Regardless, the Lakers still need to find a competent center to replace Davis—and reveal whether JJ Redick is the answer on the sidelines. After spending the previous year as an ESPN commentator and podcast co-host with James, the first-year coach led the Lakers to their first 50-win season since 2019 and just their second since 2011.

But since James signed with the team in 2018, the Lakers have had four head coaches, including Frank Vogel, whom they fired despite leading them to the 2020 NBA title, and Darvin Ham, whom they dismissed after last year’s first-round exit despite a 2022 Conference Finals appearance in his first season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Son Heung-min poses during an LAFC introductory press conference at BMO Stadium

Son Heung-Min Effect Will Hit Big for MLS and L.A.

With a record signing, the South Korean supernova has landed at LAFC.

4 of 10 Highest-Paid CFB Coaches Lose in Week 1

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was the biggest surprise of the Week 1 losers.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Cowboys Can’t Bank on Mavericks’ Lottery Luck After Parsons Trade

The Mavericks lucked into Cooper Flagg through the 2025 NBA draft lottery.
August 28, 2025

Connor McDavid: ‘All Options on Table’ As Historic Free Agency Looms

The Oilers superstar remains largely mum on his long-term plans.
August 28, 2025

Rhyne Howard Calls Out Dream Fans for A’Ja Wilson ‘MVP’ Chants

The Las Vegas Aces overtook the Atlanta Dream in the standings.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
United
August 28, 2025

Manchester United Knocked Out of Cup by Team With $2.6 Million Payroll

United’s team payroll is almost 100 times larger than Grimsby’s.
Monica Wright
August 26, 2025

WNBA Expansion Teams Still in Dark As CBA Fight Drags On

Portland and Toronto won’t know the draft rules until a CBA is signed.
August 25, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends Stalemate for $14 Million Bengals Raise

The defensive end will make $30 million this season.
August 22, 2025

$2B A’s Vegas Stadium Hits Milestones, on Track for 2028

Construction progress and costs pick up in the Las Vegas project.