That truth may appear to be a technicality to some, as Dončić is extensively anticipated to decide to a long-term Lakers future sooner or later. However the Lakers discovered a very long time in the past that star gamers don’t all the time resolve to stay round, as they traded with Orlando for Dwight Howard in the summertime of 2012 solely to see him head to Houston in free company a 12 months later. And when it got here to the Mavericks-Lakers commerce talks that led to the deal, league and team sources say Dončić’s uncertain long-term status was the primary reason the Lakers were able to avoid giving up their 2031 first-round pick in the deal (Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first went to Dallas). -via New York Times / Might 2, 2025
