Latest news with #LaraBethSeager
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Luka Doncic's Dinner With The Lakers: 'I Don't Want to Wait'
Inside Luka Doncic's Dinner With The Lakers: 'I Don't Want to Wait' originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic doesn't just want to win — he wants to win now. That much became crystal clear during a private dinner in May with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, head coach JJ Redick, and Doncic's longtime business manager, Lara Beth Seager. The goal of the meeting was simple: align on vision, resources, and urgency. And by the end of the night, both sides walked away with a clearer understanding of what it will take to bring another championship to Los Angeles. 'I don't want to wait,' Doncic told the table, according to ESPN. 'I had a taste of the Finals. I am getting back there. So let's do whatever we can now.' This wasn't just a casual dinner. It became a full-blown strategy session, complete with breakdowns of the team's cap sheet, draft capital, and ideal roster construction. Pelinka and Redick laid out what assets were available, while Doncic listed the types of players he believed the team needed: a pick-and-pop shooter, a defensive stopper, and a rim protector. It was a collaborative moment between the front office and its new franchise star, one that now defines the Lakers' approach to the 2025-26 season. With Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, the franchise has a core that can compete with the best in the West, and they intend to use any opportunity to increase their title odds. Thanks to Luka's input, the Lakers entered the summer with a clear, targeted offseason blueprint, which led to multiple signings that include Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. Under Pelinka's watch, the Lakers have forged a new identity built around Luka Doncic and a full championship pursuit. We have yet to see the results, but Doncic is clearly convinced after signing a shiny new contract extension worth $165 million. To date, Doncic has yet to win a championship, but he's come close several times. In 2022, he made the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career alongside Jalen Brunson, but he did even better in 2024, when he led the Mavericks to the Finals for the first time in over a decade. Now that he's had a taste of the Finals stage, Doncic is more motivated than ever before to go all the way and add a title to his resume. While he may be 26 years old, he's not taking a patient approach with contention. He wants to win right away, and he's already pressuring the Lakers to surround him with a roster that's worthy of his talents. The good news is, even if the Lakers don't get it done next year, they won't have to worry about No. 77 leaving, because he's under contract for the next three years. If the Lakers can deliver on the vision they laid out at that dinner table, Luka Doncic may finally get the moment he's been chasing his entire career. But with expectations sky-high and pressure mounting from within, the window to win is now, and everyone in Los Angeles knows story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Deeply Involved In Lakers Free Agency, Long-Term Concerns Ease
Luka Doncic Deeply Involved In Lakers Free Agency, Long-Term Concerns Ease originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Just months ago, questions swirled about whether Luka Doncic would truly commit to a long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers. But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, that narrative is quickly fading. After taking an active role in the team's free agency plans and staying in constant communication with Lakers vice president Rob Pelinka, Doncic is now seen as fully aligned with the organization's vision. From roster decisions to relationship-building, this offseason has marked a turning point, and Luka is helping to shape the future of the franchise. 'External fretting about Doncic committing his long-term future to the Lakers, meanwhile, has dissipated considerably thanks to the contributions made by the 26-year-old throughout free agency in collaboration with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka,' Stein wrote. 'Contact between Pelinka, Doncic, and two pillars of Team Luka — chief brand officer and business manager Lara Beth Seager and longtime agent Bill Duffy — has been constant since a well-chronicled dinner at Craig's in West Hollywood shortly after L.A.'s first-round playoff elimination.' Following his trade to the Lakers in February, there has been major uncertainty about Luka's contract situation. As it stands, the 26-year-old has two years left on his deal, including a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $48.9 million. He's yet to sign an extension with the Lakers despite a positive start, but there is growing confidence that he'll eventually re-sign with the organization. Arguably, the biggest sign is how active he's been in free agency. Communication has been constant and ongoing between the Lakers and Luka's camp, with the latter providing input on the entire team-building process. In fact, it was Luka who reportedly helped recruit both DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart to join this summer. While teams were originally bullish on their chances to acquire Doncic in 2026, confidence is fading that he'll end up leaving. In Los Angeles, he's got everything he could want on a team like the Lakers, who are willing to cater to his every whim. Regarding the potential timeline of a new contract, it may not be until next summer that Luka inks a deal, but that's only because he'll be focused on other things like EuroBasket, training camp, and staying in shape for the 2025-26 season. Once the season tips off in October, Doncic will be focused entirely on leading the Lakers, not on contract negotiations. For the Lakers, this is great news. After giving up their championship big man (Anthony Davis) to acquire Doncic, their very future hinges on his success, and they've already gone out of their way to try and maximize his impact. With a new big man in place (Deandre Ayton) and LeBron James slated to return for at least one more season, Luka will have everything he needs for a prosperous campaign. For now, the Lakers can breathe a little easier. Luka Doncic hasn't signed a long-term extension yet, but he's behaving like a franchise cornerstone—and the organization is treating him like one. If this offseason is any indication, the Lakers aren't just building around Luka on the court, they're building with him at every story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Confirms He Loves Playing With LeBron James: "It's An Honor To Be His Teammate..."
Luka Doncic Confirms He Loves Playing With LeBron James: "It's An Honor To Be His Teammate..." originally appeared on Fadeaway World. As the Lakers navigate one of the most dramatic offseasons in franchise history, Luka Doncic's camp is doing its part to ease tensions. In a statement to the media, Doncic's manager, Lara Beth Seager, praised the Lakers' leadership and emphasized Luka's respect for LeBron James. The timing of the message feels intentional, and it may be the strongest sign yet that both stars are trying to keep things stable, for now.. Advertisement 'The Lakers leadership team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of Luka since we arrived in L.A.," said Seager, in a chat with Ramona Shelburne. "We've spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other over the last few months, and we've formed a strong working relationship." Doncic, 26, is still adjusting to his new surroundings after the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Lakers in February. With averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, he's been a beast in Los Angeles, but the situation has turned volatile with reports of a growing rift between LeBron James and the Lakers' front office. In an effort to ease the growing tension, Luka's camp issued a public statement showing support for his veteran teammate. 'Championships are won when you work together. We all share that same goal," said Seager. "Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him. He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.' LeBron and Luka have played less than 28 games together, but it was enough for them to demonstrate remarkable chemistry on the court. Together, they had the offense running like a well-oiled machine en route to securing the third-best record in the West. Advertisement But as the Lakers have shifted their focus to building around Luka, LeBron has increasingly been pushed to the background. Rather than going all-in for another title run, the front office appears more interested in preserving cap flexibility for 2027, when they hope to pair Luka with another superstar. As it stands, James' future is entirely uncertain, and the likelihood is lower than it's ever been that he will retire a Laker. Both sides are reportedly ready to move on now, and both LeBron and his son have been involved in several trade rumors that would end his time on the Lakers forever. While Luka may be the spark that motivated these changes, he didn't ask for any of it. He never asked to be traded mid-season, and he never wanted the pressure that comes with being the top dog on the most lucrative franchise in sports. For Doncic, playing with a guy like LeBron (who has already won at the highest levels) was one of his favorite things about the trade, and he wants to keep it going for as long as he can. While it's unclear how much longer LeBron will remain in Los Angeles, it's evident that Luka is doing what he can to steady the ship. Whether the partnership continues or not, Doncic's respect for LeBron is genuine, and publicly backing him could go a long way in silencing the noise. If the Lakers want to make one last run with this duo, they'll need more than just talent on the floor—they'll need unity off it, too. Related: 7 Signs That Show LeBron James And The Lakers Are Headed For A Breakup This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
