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Lakers Rebuild: Doncic Era Dawns as James Era Fades
10 Feb
Summary
- Lakers now built around Luka Doncic's timeline through at least 2027-28.
- Doncic transformed physique after criticism of conditioning.
- Lakers prioritizing winning during Doncic's prime, not James' twilight.
As of February 2026, the Lakers are actively building around Luka Doncic, whose contract now extends through the 2027-28 season. This strategic shift prioritizes winning during Doncic's prime years, moving away from a focus on LeBron James' twilight career. The team's direction is now aligned with Doncic's timeline.
Doncic's first year saw him average 28.2 points and 7.5 assists, with notable improvements in his physique and durability over the summer of 2025. He has played in 42 of the Lakers' first 50 games this season, demonstrating enhanced resilience.
Despite his consistent high-level performance, the Lakers' moves reflect a desire to acquire more supporting role players. Past attempts to trade for players like Mark Williams underscore this focus. The team aims to leverage significant cap space in the upcoming summer to build a championship-contending roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are expected to target players similar to those who supported Dallas's Finals team, focusing on rim-running centers and versatile forwards. They also plan to utilize their future first-round draft picks to enhance the team's depth and competitiveness for the upcoming seasons.
