Latest news with #post-LeBronJames
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers? Inside the Mega Deal That Could Rival Shohei Ohtani's $700M Shockwave
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers (Image via Getty) The city of Los Angeles thrives on spectacle - whether it's Oscar night or the next blockbuster sports deal. And today, as the Lakers circle Luka Doncic in franchise-shaping negotiations, all eyes are on them not just for the basketball but for how much this deal reminds the city of another record-breaking move: Shohei Ohtani 's $700 million contract with the Dodgers. The stakes, stories, and showmanship are all here - making LA the epicenter of sports drama once again. Inside the Luka Doncic Contract Talks Starting August 2, 2025, the Lakers are positioned to offer Luka Doncic a massive four-year, $229 million extension - the ultimate endorsement of his future as the face of the franchise in a post-LeBron James era. Insiders expect Doncic's camp to pursue a three-year, $160.8 million extension with a player option, structuring it to maximize his earnings potential when he qualifies for an even bigger 'supermax' contract down the road. This strategic approach isn't just about the present - it's Luka laying the groundwork for both flexibility and potential historical earnings. But Luka's message to the Lakers is clear: win now, or else. The Slovenian superstar has made it known that every year he dons the purple and gold, he expects to chase championships, not just headlines. For LA, this is about more than numbers - it's a legacy-defining moment, with title hopes and global relevance on the line. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The Shohei Ohtani Parallel: LA's Megastar Blueprint Shohei Ohtani (Image via Getty) When Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers in a jaw-dropping $700 million deal, it wasn't just a baseball story - it rewrote the rules for how LA sports franchises approach superstardom. In fact, Lakers legends and current ownership haven't shied from the comparison. Both Ohtani and Luka Doncic are global sensations: one ruled the baseball diamond, the other commands the hardwood, and each brings legions of fans from far beyond U.S. borders. The real parallels: - Global Superstar Status: Both arrived in LA as international megastars, carrying the weight of global expectations. - Franchise Changers: Their arrivals instantly shifted their teams' outlooks from hopeful to championship-or-bust. - Business and Branding: Ohtani's deal was about more than his play - it was a seismic event for ticket sales, sponsorships, and turning the Dodgers into a worldwide brand. The Lakers anticipate a similar windfall with Doncic, given his marketability and reach. Even Dodgers management and cross-town sports figures have commented on the significance of these moves. The common thread: these deals aren't just about winning now, but cementing LA teams as perennial world-stage contenders. Critical Differences: NBA vs. MLB Money Moves While Ohtani's $700 million contract made headlines for its size, the fine print was even more fascinating - most of his earnings are deferred, giving the Dodgers payroll flexibility baseball's system allows. In contrast, the NBA's hard salary cap means every cent the Lakers commit to Luka Doncic is tightly regulated. This means the Lakers' front office must be even more creative to build a contending team around their new superstar, adding intrigue to every roster decision. Ownership, Power, and the LA Sports Landscape The connection between these two stories runs even deeper. Dodgers owner Mark Walter is now also the majority owner of the Lakers , turning the city's two most glamorous teams into sibling juggernauts under his financial stewardship. Social media has run wild with images of Ohtani in Lakers gear, and LA sports fans are awash in dreams of dual championships. From ownership suites to late-night TV segments, the negotiations for Luka have become as much about LA's identity as the roster. Comments from managers to basketball legends highlight just how interwoven LA's sports legacy has become - with Luka Doncic and Ohtani as the leading men. Signing Luka isn't only a bet on basketball. It's a declaration that the Lakers don't just chase stars - they set the standard for how a global franchise is run. With Ohtani now in Dodgers blue and Doncic potentially in Lakers gold, LA is cultivating an era where the stakes - and the swagger - have never been higher. In Hollywood, spectacle is tradition. And as the parallels between Luka Doncic's and Ohtani's deals captivate fans, it's clear these megastars aren't just playing for championships - they're playing for the history books, and for the city's next great moment in the spotlight. Also read: LeBron James Shuts Down Doubters with Gym Selfies After Fresh Criticism of His 2020 NBA Title Because in LA, it's never just about sports. It's about legacy, ambition, and always, the wild optimism only Los Angeles can conjure. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers get $222 million Luka Doncic contract update after Marcus Smart recruitment news
Luka Dončić's loyalty to the Los Angeles Lakers has remained in question since his arrival via trade from the Dallas Mavericks this past season. Fortunately for the storied franchise, it appears that the 5-time All-NBA First Team selection and 26-year-old phenom plans to remain the centerpiece of the organization heading into the post-LeBron James era. After the Lakers recently acquired former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Deandre Ayton and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart this offseason, reports surfaced that Dončić had a hand in recruiting the pair of talented complementary pieces, indicating that he is fully committed to winning in Los Angeles. Dončić's offseason enthusiasm has been viewed as a positive sign by fans and NBA media members alike, and new updates have indicated that the Lakers can breathe a sigh of relief, as the likelihood of the generational guard inking a hefty contract extension with the franchise this summer continues to see exponential growth. "There was ownership by Luka this offseason to stamp down that he wants to be part of the Lakers moving forward, and he wants others to join him," ESPN's Dave McMenamin shared during a Wednesday evening appearance on ESPN's NBA Today. "So he makes calls to Deandre Ayton, the guy who came into the draft with him as the No. 1 pick, now he's the center for the Lakers." Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp "(Dončić) makes calls to Marcus Smart, needs to fill the point-of-attack defender spot that Dorian Finney-Smith occupied last year, he now plays for the Houston Rockets. (He) gets Marcus Smart to come." "We look at that Aug. 2 date when the Lakers can offer an extension to Luka Dončić worth four years, $222 million, up to that figure. I would say if you're a Laker fan, you shouldn't have any worry about Luka coming to some sort of an extension agreement." Following the league-shattering trade that swapped Dončić for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis on Feb. 2, the Slovenian superstar contributed 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists while knocking down 37.9% of his 9.6 three-point attempts in 28 regular-season contests with the Lakers to close the 2024-25 campaign. Los Angeles would then fall in disappointing fashion in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, but the Lakers have already begun to look forward to a future with Dončić at the helm. The one-of-a-kind offensive talent will have the option of inking a deal for three or four years, but it looks as though the Lakers could be afforded a semblance of security regardless of the contract's structure.
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could the Lakers end up trading Luka Doncic?
Could the Lakers end up trading Luka Doncic? The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans seemingly gained a new lease on life, especially when it came to contending for the NBA championship, when the organization landed generational superstar Luka Doncic in that stunning trade four months ago. While it hasn't paid dividends just yet, that trade was presumably made for the immediate future beginning next season rather than the 2024-25 campaign. But is it possible the Lakers will get buyer's remorse at some point? While Doncic has the potential to become one of the five to 10 greatest basketball players of all time, he hasn't exactly been in great shape, and many have criticized him for allegedly not taking good care of his body. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report listed Doncic as the team's most untouchable player in terms of trade talks in a recent article. But he did imply that there is a scenario in which L.A. may end up wanting to move on from the Slovenian wonder. Via Bleacher Report: "In Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers have a bridge to their post-LeBron James era," Hughes wrote. "He'll be the superstar cornerstone upon which the franchise's next decade is built. "The only way that'll change is if [Nico] Harrison's justification for moving Dončić this past February—poor conditioning and shoddy defense—reaches a point where Los Angeles winds up with the same concerns. "Of course, if you view the trade from Dallas to L.A. as a wake-up call for Dončić, it's pretty hard to imagine his bad habits continuing." So far this offseason, it looks as if Doncic is already changing those bad habits. He looked noticeably slimmer at a recent Real Madrid game, and at least one report has indicated that he has at least changed his mindset as far as his fitness and conditioning. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season that he can decline in order to become a free agent next summer. But he did indicate in a recent interview that he would like to remain with the Purple and Gold long term.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Antonio Spurs Are At the Center of the Next Great NBA Rivalry
The NBA and its eras are often defined by rivalries, and the San Antonio Spurs will be at the center of the next great one. Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg will follow in the footsteps of Wilt and Russell, Magic and Bird, and LeBron and Stephen Curry. By winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, the Dallas Mavericks are all but guaranteed to select Cooper Flagg first overall, with the Spurs picking second, also rising up unexpectedly in the lottery. Advertisement With the Mavericks adding Flagg, the Spurs boast their own generational talent. Victor Wembanyama has already emerged as an All-Star and is the best defender in the NBA, and the two will likely headline and define the post-LeBron James era of professional basketball. On top of that, Wembanyama and Flagg will each lead their countries in international play, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics being a proving ground for the two. 'Cooper Flagg,' said James while playing against him at Team USA scrimmages, '[Is] going to be a big-time player here for Team USA down the road.' Wembanyama has also long been praised by some of the best players to ever suit up, with Hakeem Olajuwon saying Wemby "has everything." Advertisement Both Flagg and Wembanayma are known for their competitive drive and defensive prowess, although both can take control on the offensive end. In the next few seasons, even in a loaded Western Conference, the Spurs and Mavericks are epetced to be two of the best and most exiting teams in the league, and their once-in-a-generation superstars will collide four times in the regular season each year and ohopedully in several playoff bouts, fighting over who is the face of the league. The Spurs and Mavericks started their season against one another in both 2023 and 2024, and the NBA would be smart to pit them against each other on national television to start the season. Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: San Antonio Spurs Rise Up in NBA Draft Lottery, Will Pick Anyone But Cooper Flagg Related: How Dylan Harper Would Fit Next to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Are the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers headed for a 2025 NBA Finals collision?
Are the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers headed for a 2025 NBA Finals collision? By now, it is safe to say that there is a very real chance the league's oldest and fiercest rivalry could spring back to life if the two old enemies on the hardwood find themselves back on the league's biggest stage competing for the claim to most titles won in Association history. Not all that long ago, there were a ton of question marks hanging over the Lakers as to what their post-LeBron James future might end up looking like. But thanks to some very questionable dealmaking by the front office of the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles has revitalized the team with the generational talent that is Luca Doncic. The hosts of the CLNS Media "The Big Three NBA" podcast, A. Sherrod Blakely, Gary Washburn, and Kwani Lunis, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say. If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," "Celtics Lab," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network. Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Are the Celtics and Lakers headed for a 2025 NBA Finals collision?
