Dallas Basketball

Lakers under 'immense pressure' to sign Luka Doncic after Mavericks trade

ESPN's Brian Windhorst outlined the situation for LA's premier basketball operation.
Keenan Womack|
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

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Dallas MavericksLos Angeles Lakers

While he said he'd 'wager' on Doncic's re-signing with the Lakers in the offseason, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst has stated that the pressure is now on LA to get Doncic to commit to their franchise this offseason and that they lack the 'advantages' that the Mavericks would have had in getting him to do so. You can watch the clip below (starts around 15:20).

"Many of the stars who were traded [to the LA Lakers] over their career, whether it was Kareem or Anthony Davis, have re-signed. We did see this happen once before where Dwight Howard was traded there, it didn't work out and he didn't re-sign," said the ESPN personality. "So, the Lakers are experts at this, it's their No. 1 priority. I would bet on it. But if you're talking the real talk about what the pressure for the rest of the season is, it's to get Luka comfortable enough to say, 'This is where I want to be.'"

READ MORE: Ex-Mavericks star Luka Doncic opens up on disappointing start with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

The advantage to which Windhorst was referring is the supermax contract that Doncic would have been eligible for had he signed an extension with Dallas this summer. Because he was traded, he's no longer eligible for such a contract. This means there is no financial incentive to re-join the Lakers, but as has been evident in the past, most players do commit to the Lakers long-term.

Since leaving Dallas, the Slovenian superstar has struggled to adjust to his new surroundings, averaging just 14.7 points on 36% from the field and 20% from three. Before being traded away without his knowledge, Doncic was putting up 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game on 46% from the field and 36% from three with Dallas. While he will certainly rebound and become the player the Lakers want him to be, the ball is now in their court to get the 25-year-old to re-sign.

READ MORE: NBA star Luka Doncic still 'shellshocked' after Mavericks traded him to Lakers

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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