The vultures are officially out amid the latest drama with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rival NBA teams are monitoring Luka Doncic’s situation in L.A. in case it goes “sideways,” Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported on the latest episode of “The Hoop Collective.” MacMahon adds that Doncic’s current extension with the Lakers is “not that long-term.”
Doncic, the six-time All-Star, just completed his first full season with the Lakers. He averaged a career-high (and NBA-leading) 33.5 points to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game but did not play in the playoffs due to a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, Doncic did agree to a new contract extension with the Lakers in 2025. But it was only a three-year extension, meaning that the reigning All-NBA First Team selection can test free agency as soon as 2028.
The Lakers as an organization are also undergoing more turmoil right now with majority owner Mark Walter just agreeing in principle to sell the team to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner after only one year at the helm. That then triggered a tag-along clause from the Buss family, who voted to sell their minority stake in the team over the objections of current Lakers governor Jeanie Buss (who apparently intends to fight the vote in court).
Doncic reportedly was not consulted about the sale of the team but did issue a public statement in support of the move. Still, Doncic is only 27 years old and could be on unhappiness watch in L.A., especially if the team’s future-mortgaging move this summer for center Walker Kessler does not ultimately pan out.
