Latest news with #RobPelinka
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers rumors: Luka Doncic recruiting shows commitment to LA
The post Lakers rumors: Luka Doncic recruiting shows commitment to LA appeared first on ClutchPoints. While there have been rumors around Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic and an upcoming contract extension, there are more reports that reinforce the expectation that the player is committed to the team. As the topic of Doncic and a Lakers contract extension will continue to be talked about, some believe his recruiting is evidence enough that he is here for the long haul. On Spectrum SportsNet, Mike Bresnahan would speak confidently that Doncic is 'going to be here for a while' and that the number of years on the imminent contract will provide more context. 'I mean, all along it's obvious to me, he's going to be here for a while, you know,' Bresnahan said. 'And the Lakers, you know, they obviously made a pretty big investment in him by sending a player like Anthony Davis away back in February. They want him here for a long, long time. Rob Pelinka has been kind of banging that drum that, yeah, this guy's a franchise player.' So, you know, I wasn't sure if he's going to sign the full four-year extension, maybe three years, and then jump back into the free agency pool and go for one last big, long-term contract,' Bresnahan continued. 'But if he goes for the full four, that obviously shows me he's in it to win it here in Los Angeles. Lakers' Luka Doncic 'making himself at home' With the Lakers signing Marcus Smart on top of also adding center Deandre Ayton, reports would go around that Doncic was a major part of the process, especially for the point guard. This was also talked about by Bresnahan, who said that with the recruiting that Doncic has done, he is 'making himself at home.' 'I found it very interesting that he's one of the guys who really recruited Marcus Smart, so he's really making himself at home,' Bresnahan said. 'He's been here less than six months, and he's already like, no, I'll call guys. I want to play with good players. You know, maybe we need a little defense. Luka's not dumb. And I really like how he's the one who picks up the phone or does whatever he's doing to make sure that Marcus Smart signed here.' At any rate, Los Angeles looks to improve under LeBron James and Doncic after finishing 50-32, which put them third in the West, though they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Related: Lakers make flurry of moves before training camp Related: Lakers star Luka Doncic's EuroBasket plans receive update
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James' future with Lakers beyond 2025-26 certain to generate speculation leading up to training camp
With roughly two months before NBA teams report to training camp and roughly three before the 2025-26 NBA season tips off, LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers is going to be a frequent topic of discussion among media and fans. In his latest column, NBA reporter Marc Stein outlined many of the key points that will influence James' decision over the next nine months — and past that, if the Lakers contend for an NBA championship. But the process may come down to one factor. "It all really depends on how this coming season goes," one of Stein's sources said. The Lakers finished last season tied for third in the Western Conference at 50-32, but were 18 games behind the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Losing their first-round playoff series to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games made it apparent how far they are from winning an NBA title. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka added center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, and re-signed center Jaxson Hayes. But will that be enough with James and Luka Dončić to contend in an extremely competitive Western Conference? James is largely responsible for creating these questions by picking up his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season and not negotiating a longer-term deal with the Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, also stoked speculation by issuing a statement to ESPN that said "LeBron wants to compete for a championship" and "values a realistic chance of winning it all." The statement also acknowledged that the Lakers were preparing for a future beyond James, which will be built around Dončić. "We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future," Paul said. "We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him." If it becomes clear that the Lakers won't contend for an NBA title, a trade could be in play. Stein highlights the Dallas Mavericks as a possible destination. Previous reporting says that Dallas would only be interested in adding James if he was bought out from his 2025-26 contract. Would that change halfway through the season if the Mavs felt they were in the championship hunt? The same likely applies to the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and even the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, if James wants to keep playing, not just in pursuit of a fifth NBA championship but playing 24 or 25 seasons, or being the oldest player to play in the league at 46 years or older, then each of those teams is a possible next stop for him. What Stein's reporting increasingly indicates is that it wouldn't happen with the Lakers.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Sees Marcus Smart As A Championship Level Difference Maker
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Sees Marcus Smart As A Championship Level Difference Maker originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers are betting on toughness, IQ, and championship DNA, and GM Rob Pelinka believes Marcus Smart brings all three. In a recent statement following the official signing of the veteran guard, Pelinka called Smart a "championship-level difference maker," praising the former Defensive Player of the Year's leadership and winning mentality. "Adding a player like Marcus Smart to our roster allows us to compete at the highest level. Marcus epitomizes what it means to prioritize winning above all else, whether that's making huge plays on the defensive end or hitting critical shots in key moments of the most intense games." "He knows and understands playoff winning and will be a key leadership voice in our group. Surrounding our stars with two-way players like Marcus is critical to our overall vision of how we want to play and win next season." Smart joins the Lakers on a mission. After stints with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and, most recently, a short run with the Washington Wizards, the veteran guard is embracing the Lakers' culture and expectations, even if it means stepping into enemy territory. As a former Celtic, Smart knows the boos will be deafening when he returns to Boston in purple and gold. Smart has already been in touch with Luka Doncic, who reportedly played a big role in helping recruit him alongside the front office. Although he hasn't yet spoken with LeBron James, Smart made it clear he's thrilled to play with two of the game's highest basketball IQs. Despite being limited to just 54 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, Smart is reportedly working hard on his conditioning and overall health. According to a Lakers insider, Smart's offseason focus has been laser-sharp, and the team expects him to be a defensive anchor and emotional leader in their revamped backcourt. His addition provides not just on-court versatility but also a much-needed intensity and voice that the Lakers lacked at times last season. To make room for Smart's arrival, the Lakers waived guards Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin. Those decisions were not easy, but Pelinka had a clear plan, and it's beginning to take shape. After initially being criticized for letting Dorian Finney-Smith slip away, Pelinka has flipped that narrative by turning that one loss into three key acquisitions: a starting-caliber center in Deandre Ayton, a young wing in Jake LaRavia, and a tenacious backcourt defender and leader in Smart. With a core of LeBron, Luka, Ayton, and now Smart, the Lakers are building a lineup that can both score and defend at an elite level. And in Marcus Smart, Rob Pelinka believes they've added the missing ingredient, grit, edge, and the heart of a story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sources: Lakers head to Las Vegas with intent to spark trade negotiations
The post Sources: Lakers head to Las Vegas with intent to spark trade negotiations appeared first on ClutchPoints. After a flourish of activity early in free agency, landing Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, the Los Angeles Lakers have stalled out a bit with work still clearly needing to be done. According to sources with an understanding of their offseason plans speaking on the condition of anonymity, the team is hoping to reignite trade talks as the entire league embarks upon Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. Previous trade targets include Andrew Wiggins and Robert Williams, among others, and a couple new names have garnered some attention given how the rest of the offseason has played out to this point. Sources say Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart (though most teams are watching to see if he's going to be bought out), Ayo Dosunmu and others are names the Lakers have had preliminary conversations with teams about availability and price, though no offers have been made. 'Rob (Pelinka) likes Vegas because he can just pull so-and-so aside and have a conversation that would otherwise take a little planning,' an Eastern Conference executive said. 'Summer league has become a real opportunity for all of us in that way.' As far as goals go, the Lakers are looking to open at least one and ideally a couple roster spots, plus gain full access to their bi-annual exception with a little room under the first apron, which they will be hard-capped at heading into the season. Ideally, sources say they would accomplish all that and land a more natural starting small forward (Rui Hachimura has played out of position the last couple years) while bolstering a bench that was among the least productive in the NBA a year ago. Lakers reserves were so bad that JJ Redick infamously made no substitutions in game four of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He got so desperate that he inserted Maxi Kleber into their final game of the year even though he'd never even practiced for the Lakers. As currently constructed, the Lakers rotation runs about nine players deep, in terms of guys Redick would enter the season trusting to varying degrees: Starters Luka Doncic Austin Reaves Rui Hachimura LeBron James Deandre Ayton Bench Jake LaRavia Gabe Vincent Jarred Vanderbilt Jaxson Hayes Deep Reserves Jordan Goodwin Dalton Knecht Maxi Kleber Trey Jemison (two-way) Shake Milton likely to be traded or waived Shake Milton is almost certainly either going to be traded or waived before his July 20 guarantee date, according to sources close to the team. Let's say Milton is waived; that would leave the Lakers with one open roster spot and just under $4 million separating them from the first apron. They wouldn't be able to use their full bi-annual exception and, if they use whatever chunk of it they can, they'd be right up against the hard cap. Goodwin's contract isn't fully guaranteed until January 10, so he could technically be waived to open another roster spot and gain access to that full bi-annual exception. If he's waived, too, the Lakers could use that $5.1 million on a free agent and enter the season with an open roster spot and about $1.1 million separating them from the first apron hard cap. The Lakers did like Goodwin quite a bit last season and, given his low cap number, there's a good chance he'd be claimed off of waivers, so if the Lakers did go this route, it would be after turning over every other stone. Pelinka has typically preferred to enter campaigns with an open roster spot and a first-round pick in his back pocket. He also would probably prefer a little more space between him and the first apron given how much more difficult it can be to open cap space during the season. There's also the reported plan to maintain cap and draft flexibility for the next couple seasons as the Lakers are monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic's situations. It should also be mentioned the Lakers are keeping a very close eye on the buyout market. Bradley Beal is obviously the player the rest of the league is monitoring, but given how teams are operating in this new CBA, basically any veteran on an expiring contract is considered a candidate to be bought out. As a result, even while De'Anthony Melton has long been linked to the Lakers, sources say they're looking to maintain flexibility in case the right name becomes available, as Ayton did a week or so ago. The NBA will descend upon Las Vegas in a matter of days. Having the whole league in one place at the same time is a great way to stir up another wave of action. Pelinka and the Lakers hope to ride that wave to a deeper, more balanced roster that will hopefully convince Doncic to sign his extension in August and James to stop taking pictures with Cleveland Cavaliers. Related: Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James set to make NBA Summer League history Related: Lakers rumors: Insider thinks LeBron James is 'venting' instead of eyeing trade
