06-10-2025, 02:26 PM
(06-10-2025, 01:35 PM)F Gump Wrote: LBJ will opt out and sign a 1+1 with LA for max money, or very close to it. Bank on that.
I think Luka waits a year until summer 2026 for new contract, at which time he will opt out and then be a complete UFA who can pick wherever he wants to finish his career. He will then sign a 2+1, with the plan to opt out after 2 seasons and do a max-max-max deal with that same team. It could be LA, but I don't see that outcome as a given because the money isn't hugely different for him, and he has a chance to decide where and with whom he will play for the rest of his career. Full control.
While the idea of LA taking a tank year has some logic, I don't think LBJ or Luka would be happy campers with a game plan to lose lots of games. And what the stars want, the stars get. So imo LA mgmt will have to try to find a way to winning instead.
It was reported (Shams, if I remember correctly) that LBJ will pick his option. Things might change in a month, but so far we have that. Lakers should know they can't build a contender around maxed out Bron and Luka is entering his prime, really wanting to win now. They can ride the LeBron train as he brings huge money, but Luka will imho walk in a couple of years if they choose this option.
Every indication from Luka and media guys was that Luka intends to sign an extension. If he doesn't, Lakers would be smart to consider trading him to a team where he is willing to sign an extension. Letting him walk for nothing would be a disaster. My bet is on a 2+1 extension this summer, which gives Lakers a 2 year window to build a contender around him (even though he would have 3 years on his deal, they would be smart to trade him before his next contract expires, if they don't have a contending level team by then). I think Luka will enter years where he will really want to win.
Tank is of course a theoretical "idea" - given only in a case if LeBron walks. LeBron will not walk away from his 50 million to sign for MLE somewhere and good luck to anyone convincing Luka to sit out a season in his prime so they can be really bad. Lakers will be a playoff level team next season, as they have been this one. I just find it unlikely they will be able to close the gap against current contenders.