The Los Angeles Lakers saw jaws dropping on the floor when they played out the Luka Doncic trade earlier this year.
While many didn’t see this coming and were taken aback, some are calling Doncic a ‘gift’ to the Lakers.
However, recent insights from NBA insider Jake Weinbach suggest that things might not be as simple as they seem.
According to Jake, many in the league feel that the Lakers received a “gift” by acquiring Doncic from Dallas. This perception could make it trickier for the Lakers to negotiate future trades.
“League executives believe the Lakers were handed a “gift” after acquiring Luka Dončić from Dallas. It’s important to note — this league-wide sentiment is expected to make it more challenging for the Lakers to negotiate with other teams. If the Lakers engage in trade discussions, the organization may have to “overpay” for certain players of interest on the market,” Weinbach wrote.
League executives believe the Lakers were handed a “gift” after acquiring Luka Dončić from Dallas.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) June 8, 2025
It’s important to note — this league-wide sentiment is expected to make it more challenging for the Lakers to negotiate with other teams. If the Lakers engage in trade discussions,…
Teams might raise their asking prices for desired players because they know the Lakers are building around Doncic alongside LeBron.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
This isn’t new territory for the Lakers, though. They’ve often faced high demands when trying to snag top talent, especially during LeBron’s time in LA. The fact that Doncic came at a relatively good deal means the Lakers could end up needing to “overpay.” All that to get the right pieces around their all-star duo.
Lakers Still Lack A Center Around Luka Doncic And LeBron James
Speaking of pieces, the Lakers have quite a few gaps to fill, particularly at the center position. They currently lack a traditional big man, essential for running an effective offense with Doncic and James.
On top of that, they’re looking for some bench depth and a strong defender to really make their trio of Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves work.
Unfortunately, the Lakers are somewhat limited in terms of assets. They only have one first-round pick available for trade (in 2031) and five pick swaps that are less valuable.
While expiring contracts could be helpful, they’ll unlikely be enough to sway other teams if they expect the Lakers to overpay.
Fans will have to stay tuned to see how this all unfolds.
Also Read: LeBron James Analyzes What Truly Sets Luka Doncic Apart As A Game-Changer For The Lakers
