Lakers trade report involving Luka Doncic is great news for Los Angeles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025-26 season believing they had filled the void at center.
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While not a superstar, Deandre Ayton, who signed with the Lakers last offseason, is a talented frontcourt contributor with valuable NBA Finals experience.
The problem is, Ayton hasn’t lived up to the billing during his first season with Los Angeles. The former Phoenix Suns center has struggled to give maximum effort since he was drafted in 2018, causing many to believe he may never reach his full potential.
That trend has continued with the Lakers, as Ayton’s too-cool-for-school approach on both ends has been problematic.
Los Angeles would benefit from finding a low-post upgrade before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. According to a trade report involving Luka Doncic, the franchise shouldn’t have a hard time appealing to various big men.
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“They have the fact they’re the Los Angeles Lakers, and I can just tell you, big men will do back flips to be able to be in that Lakers uniform paired with Luka,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday.
“I was talking to an agent who’s got a big man who may or may not be on the move and he would love to get his guy in L.A. Big men are going to want to play with Luka that much I can assure you.”
With Doncic being among the best pick-and-roll operators/distributors in the league, it makes sense why big men would be overjoyed to compete alongside the six-time All-Star in Los Angeles.
Doncic has a reputation for finding his teammates in a timely fashion after coming off forceful ball screens, making him a high-IQ, wizard-like lead guard.
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Assuming Doncic’s unselfish ways continue, the Lakers should be prepared to reap the benefits on the trade market.
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