Report: Luka Doncic ‘supported’ Lakers’ patient trade deadline approach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite numerous rumors spreading throughout the Los Angeles Lakers‘ organization in the months leading up to the NBA trade deadline, the team was fairly quiet in making moves.
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The lone deal that involved the Lakers was the trade that sent Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luke Kennard.
Although it may not have been as entertaining as fans would have liked, the Lakers stayed patient. It even satisfied the team’s newest superstar, Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic’s stance on the Lakers’ trade deadline moves
Los Angeles’ biggest priority moving forward isn’t LeBron James, it’s 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic. He appeared to be pleased with what took place, and what didn’t, during trade season.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided the latest intel, saying, “A source familiar with Doncic’s thinking told ESPN that L.A.’s deadline approach with ‘adherence to discipline’ and focus on the ‘long-term picture’ was supported by the 26-year-old star. He has not pushed the team to add a superstar-level co-star for when (LeBron) James is no longer on the roster.”
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The Lakers are looking at being a team with the largest sum of cap space heading into the offseason. LeBron James, along with Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Maxi Kleber, and Jaxson Hayes, are set to take on free agency after this season.
This will make for plenty of room for Los Angeles to recruit a big-name player or two to pair alongside Doncic and the team.
It’s safe to say that both the Lakers and Luka Doncic are satisfied with what’s taking place with the franchise.
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