The Lakeshow Review

We’re almost a month into 2025 NBA Free Agency and the Los Angeles Lakers look to be a much different team than they were last season. Out is Dorian Finney-Smith. In are DeAndre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart. Back is Jaxson Hayes. The front court will be significantly different next season with Ayton starting, and Jaxson backing him up. LA will be able to count on more front court depth than they had last season, particularly during the playoffs where their lack of size became a glaring weakness against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ve also added a promising rising player in Jake LaRavia, who is on a team-friendly contract, and given his skillset, has the potential to flourish playing alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. They’ve also managed to add a respected veteran and defensive specialist in Marcus Smart, who if healthy, will provide some much needed toughness in the backcourt. It hasn’t been a summer of splashy headlines for the Purple and Gold, yet it has been a fairly productive one. They’ve managed to add pieces that can help the team win now, without sacrificing much, if any future flexibility to makes moves later on. They’ve also shown resourcefulness in their willingness to look to avenues such they buyout market to acquire talent. as they did with both Ayton and Smart. Time will tell if LAs patience this summer will pay dividends moving forward. But at the very least they should have relatively clean books, and more assets in the form of draft picks next summer to bolster the roster and their chances for championship contention. However, the greater success of this approach hinges squarely on the pen of one Luka Dončić, and his plans for his career.

Luka is eligible to sign a maximum deal of 4-years/$228.6M with the Lakers this summer, as soon as August 2nd. Following the roster moves made this offseason, the organization feels increasingly confident that they can get Dončić to sign a contract that will keep him in Purple and Gold for the foreseeable future. Luka, for his part, will more than likely have the freedom to get creative with his deal. For instance, he could also sign a shorter 3-year/$165M contract that would allow him to opt out after year one or two and potentially pursue a bigger contract. Or he could also sign a 2-year deal for the same reasons. In any scenario, Luka signing that extension is paramount for the organization, as it validates all of their work so far this summer.

All the cap space and flexibility moving forward won’t have much of a purpose if a franchise player isn’t already in place for the organization to build a team around. That franchise player of course being Luka. The Lakers have made it clear, particularly through their recent decisions, that they don’t intend to capitulate to the immediate demands of LeBron James or Klutch Sports any longer, given that they now have Luka, who has his own requirements and his own timeline. Ayton, who shares an agent with Dončić, was brought in as a pick and roll finishing big that we all know Luka enjoys playing with. Luka has also stated his admiration for Ayton, as well as a desire to play alongside him. Not to mention, the Marcus Smart signing came after a recruitment pitch from Luka. There is an obvious trend behind these moves. The main one being that the organization is clearly shifting their focus and energy into the Luka Dončić/Bill Duffy wagon, rather than the Klutch Sports wagon. The Lakers have concluded that the Klutch Sports Experience has run its course, and it no longer makes sense for the franchise to be centered around a 41-year old star. And they are correct.

However, their pivot will only be made successful if they can sell Luka Dončić on the notion that LA is his team and the franchise will do all in its power to construct a contender around him. That’s the the last remaining hurdle for the organization to clear this summer. Once that extension is agreed upon, the Lakers will feel much better about their future moving forward. On a positive note, ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, during a recent NBA On ESPN segment, stated that Luka agreeing to an extension is a formality at this point. Reports indicate that he is committed to the Los Angeles Lakers, at least for the time being, and wants to win and prosper with the organization. Who knows where the truth lies, and at this point of the year, these “reports” are merely just that. With that said, with the team’s moves so far, they’ve certainly put themselves in position to hand the keys over to Luka and sell him on their vision for the future. If and when Luka re-signs remains to be seen. But I for one am content that the organization has displayed the type of calmness, patience and professionalism that suggests that they are in control. They certainly aren’t panicking. As a fan, that is all I can ask for.

Other signs have emerged that potentially suggest that Luka will indeed sign an extension with the Lakers. Beatwriter Martin Pavcnik, who covers Luka’s native Slovenian National team, reports that “The date of his arrival (with the Slovenian team) is still shrouded in mystery, but it is expected to be August 4. This suggests that he may sign a new contract with the LA Lakers before then“. All but suggesting that Luka could sign the extension on August 2nd, shortly before reporting to his national team, for whom he always plays for every summer. Luka seems like a loyal cat. He plays for his home country every off-season because he appreciates their support for him, as well as the love he receives from the Slovenian fans. Hopefully this type of affection extends to his current NBA club, the Lakers, who clearly have the best intentions to solidify Luka as their main pillar within their future plans. Either way, it remains to be seen as to what happens. I’m pleased with the way the team has handled their business throughout this Free Agency period, having not panicked or made any knee-jerk moves to please any form of outside pressure from the media or the fans. As I’ve written before, now is the time to be strategic, and patient. It seems as though the Lakers are of a similar mindset. Hopefully Luka and his team will recognize that, and eventually plant their flag with the organization. Once that happens, the team can focus on the bigger picture: getting back into championship contention. Go Lakers.