Luka Doncic, the standout player for the Los Angeles Lakers, recently secured a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for 2028. This major deal has generated widespread attention in the NBA community, with analyst Nick Wright commenting that Doncic is unlikely to ever have a teammate better than LeBron James during this contract period.
Speaking on his podcast, Wright stated,
I think it is overwhelmingly likely that over the lifetime of the extension, these next three years, Luka never has a teammate better than LeBron is right now. Maybe they’re going to get Giannis, and I’ll be wrong. Maybe they have their eyes on The Joker, and I’ll be wrong. But Shai ain’t going anywhere. And now Tatum’s not going anywhere. And now we’re like running out of people who are better than LeBron right now.
—Nick Wright, Sports Analyst
Wright further emphasized that the Lakers should focus their efforts on building around LeBron James and Luka Doncic in order to capture the NBA title during the 2025-26 season.
Doncic Expresses Strong Determination to Win NBA Championship
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Luka Doncic displayed outstanding performances alongside LeBron James, helping the Lakers advance to the postseason. Despite their efforts, the team was eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing the series in five games. After finalizing his contract extension, Doncic shared his confidence about the Lakers’ championship prospects next season.
A source familiar with the conversation revealed to ESPN that Doncic said,
I don’t want to wait. I had a taste of the Finals. I am getting back there. So, let’s do whatever we can now.
—Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers Star
Over 50 games in the 2024-25 season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, underlining his critical role on the team’s pursuit of a title.
The Importance of Team Dynamics for Future Success
LeBron James remains a pivotal figure in the Lakers’ roster, and Nick Wright’s assertion points to the rarity of talents that can match the value LeBron brings as a teammate to Doncic. With other top players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic considered potential teammates, Wright acknowledges the possibility but maintains that, currently, few can rival LeBron’s impact.
As the Lakers plan for the seasons ahead, their championship hopes appear heavily tied to maximizing the pairing of Doncic and James, whose combined skills and leadership could define the franchise’s success in the near future.