Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[Winter]

If Luka doesn't sign the extension, can LAL offer more on a 2+1 extension than other teams?

If he doesn't sign and spends this summer trying to turn back the clock by dedication to getting in shape, then Luka could actually turn into a key trade piece to launch a post-LBJ rebuild. Like Herschel Walker to Minnesota.

But if Luka doesn't have that dedication, then he'd be smart to sign an extension and see how it goes in LA for the next 2-3 years, because Portly Luka isn't going to be as much demand.

I'm thinking the latter unless he spends the offseason in LA, away from home cooking, hookas, and beers with buddies. Although, for someone who professes to want to retire to his Slovenian farm, I'm not sure a summer in LA moves the needle.

On a side note, I watched a YouTube video by some guy over in Europe who said that Luka just doesn't have the mindset to be diamond-focused on getting a ring. The premise is that the Euro, and especially Balkan, countries have a culture that more about enjoying the journey more than the actual destination. He says they would rather be happy with their life than hang everything on one win-lose scenario. I don't know if any of our Euro members are still posting, but I'd be interested in their take. I'll try to find the link and post it later.

Your last paragraph was something I've thought about. He never seems to really talk up the championship stuff... it's as if he doesn't care about that as much as he wants to be comfortable and have fun competing.

I don't know. I agree with Dan in that LA will likely figure this out. But the real question is how will Doncic play and will he be comfortable if the fan base turns on him a bit. He's had it easy his whole career. LA may not be his thing. I can easily imagine that he would like to play in Denver with Jokic and if he chose to leave, but that kind of crystal ball placement is hard to come by. I think he has to live up to expectations in LA, and that may be becoming a problem.

This trade is still dynamic. We really may not understand this trade for several months.