Image Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

“The Most Important Thing For the Lakers is Getting”…..Brian Windhorst Reveals Los Angeles Lakers’ Top Priority For Offseason

Brian Windhorst talks about the Lakers' top priority this offseason.

Image Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

ESPN sportswriter Brian Windhorst revealed what would be the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers and it would neither be LeBron James nor any backup signings. According to Windhorst, the Lakers would want to focus entirely on Luka Doncic, the star guard they signed from the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season. Notably, James exercised his $52.6 million player option for next season with the Lakers. While his agent, Rich Paul earlier said that James wants to have a real chance at winning the championship, things didn’t change.

As per Windhorst, even if things change and James wants to leave, the four-time NBA champion wouldn’t be a priority for the Lakers. He said, “There is no update, Dan. LeBron is continuing to watch, but he is still under contract for $53 million, which makes, no matter what anything is said, both verbally or non-verbally, his likelihood of remaining a Laker.”

Windhorst added, “I can’t emphasize what I’m about to say enough. Regardless of who they sign at center, regardless of what LeBron does with his option, regardless of any backup signings they make, the number one most important thing for the Lakers this offseason is getting Luka Doncic into a contract extension, which they can do after August 2nd.”

It is to be noted that the five-time All-Star, Doncic still has two seasons left on his current contract with the Lakers. However, he has a player option for the 2026-27 season, and the 17-time champions wouldn’t want to delay things and want to sign him up before Doncic decides to leave as a free agent.

Brian Windhorst Wants Luka Doncic to Sign Extension This Year

Windhorst believes that Doncic should sign the extension this summer instead of waiting to show the Lakers’ ownership group that he is on board with them. It is to be noted that there are various scenarios that could play out around Doncic’s extension. If the Slovenian decides to wait for next summer to sign a three-year extension worth $161 million, he could make $406 million in the beginning of 2029.

He can sign a five-year extension worth $228 million, which would keep him under contract through 2031. The deal will be over when he turns 32, and by that time he could sign something bigger, which would give him more than $406 million. The veteran sportswriter opined, “There is something to be said for signaling to the new ownership group that I want to be your partner.”

He added, “And there are worse brands to commit to and worse ownership groups to commit to than the Lakers and Mark Walter. So what Luka could do, even though there may not be a financial benefit for him connecting right now, there is something to be said for saying to the new ownership, ‘Let’s get into business together and let’s begin the process of doing this together.’”

With James nearing his retirement, Doncic stands a solid chance to take over as the face of the franchise.

Brian Windhorst

Los Angeles Lakers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.