NBA Analyst Wants LeBron James To Feel Responsible To Convince Luka To Stay and Sign With the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers were bounced out of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, even with LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the way. The third seeded Lakers’ potential this season, by many, was them reaching at least the Western Conference Finals and facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had the best record in the NBA in 2024-25 season. However, NBA is not a league that can be predicted easily, as the Lakers were sent home in the very first round, and OKC is currently down 0-1 in the series, as we speak. So now that the offseason has already started for the Lakers, the question we need to ask is what’s next for Luka Doncic? Will he stay in L.A or leave?

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Why is Signing Doncic a Priority this offseason?

The Lakers must prioritize extending Doncic this offseason for a few reasons and that includes; to secure their future beyond LeBron James, maintain financial flexibility, and build a contending team around their 26 year old superstar. While Doncic’s contract runs through 2025-26, the threat of free agency in 2026 and the need to solidify his commitment makes this offseason extremely crucial and urgent for the Lake Show. Doncic can either sign a four-year deal, or a three-year deal. However, he is no longer eligible for supermax extension, which was a five-year $346 million deal, if the Mavericks had kept him with the team.

There’s also the part where the Lakers traded away their best player, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers just cannot afford to lose, yet, another superstar, as they have long-term plans to make Luka Doncic their superstar attraction, which will not only help Tinseltown in terms of their championship aspirations, but will also attract a huge fanbase to the Lakers which will ultimately bring in revenue. While Doncic may not be an actor, he is certainly one of the brightest stars of Hollywood.

Stephen A. Smith Urges LeBron James to Persuade Luka Doncic for Long-Term Lakers Commitment

NBA Analyst, Stephen A. Smith, wants LeBron to take the responsibility of making Luka Doncic sign with the Los Angeles Lakers long-term. He said, “It is not LeBron James’ responsibility to ensure that Luka Doncic resigns with the Los Angeles Lakers, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t feel a responsibility… Why not?”

Smith then went on to question if LeBron James would have ever signed with the Miami Heat in 2010, if it were not for Dwayne Wade, as Wade is the one who convinced James to play in Miami alongside him. “Darvin Ham is gone despite taking him to a Western Conference Finals, JJ Redick who you (LeBron) was doing a podcast with, is the coach. Stop the presses, please don’t stab me in the heart… Is not Bronny James on that roster? You mean to tell me that the Los Angeles Lakers were clamoring to go and get him with the number 55 overall pick? They just couldn’t wait to do it?”

“With LeBron, the business of the NBA is about relationships. Relationship with the L.A Lakers… So no matter what the dollars say… Those relationships that a Rob Pelinka can’t have, a Jeanie Buss can’t have, but you (LeBron) can have with your teammate inside a locker room, which LeBron James is clearly a leader in.”

Most of the signs points to Luka Doncic signing a new extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, but one can never truly know. The Lakers also need to shop for front court players this offseason, who have the size and the length to defend, rebound, and of course catch lobs from Doncic, if the Slovenian decided to re-sign with the Lakers.

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