The Los Angeles Lakers must dig their way out of a 3-1 hole to reach the second round of the playoffs.
The franchise’s comeback quest will begin on Wednesday night when it faces the Minnesota Timberwolves in a win-or-go-home contest.
While it’s unlikely LeBron James will retire at the end of the season, no matter how the Lakers end their 2024-25 campaign, the 40-year-old star forward has limited time remaining in the league.
Interestingly, ESPN’s Tim Legler believes that Luka Doncic, Los Angeles’ standout 6-foot-6 guard, could leave the organization once his future Hall of Fame teammate finally retires.
"I could definitely see that scenario (Doncic ditching Los Angeles once James walks away)," Legler said on the Dan Patrick Show Monday. “This isn’t a situation where Luka got to free agency and said, man, LA is where I want to be, that’s where I want to go, like LeBron did."
"And you figure, well, he’s going to stay there the rest of his career and finish it out because he chose that at that stage of his career. Luka didn’t choose that. I’m not sure Luka is over the shock of being traded. So, he was thrust into it, and he’s making the most of it, but when it’s all said and done, does he really love playing with LeBron?"
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"I don't know. Does LeBron really love playing with him? I don’t know that either. I don’t know how long that’s going to last. When is LeBron going to hang them up? I don’t know.”
"So, when you’re forced into a situation, we don’t know internally the conversations he’s having, you know, with the people in his life who care about him. So, could I envision it? Absolutely, I could envision it.”
To Legler’s point, Doncic had no say in the Dallas Mavericks’ surprising decision to trade him to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in early February.
The Slovenian phenomenon reportedly threw his phone when he discovered that the organization that drafted him in 2018 was content with moving on from him after 6.5 eventful seasons.
Fortunately for the Lakers, Doncic hasn’t allowed his disappointment to affect his production on the hardwood in Los Angeles.
The 26-year-old pro averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in 28 regular-season contests with the Lakers, shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from deep.
Doncic is averaging 30.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in four playoff contests, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.8% from three.
However, Doncic's subpar lateral quickness has hindered him from becoming a dominant force on both ends, frustrating fans who would love nothing more than for the five-time All-Star to transform into a serviceable on-ball defender.
Still, there’s no question Doncic has brought life to a previously mediocre franchise.
If the gifted seventh-year pro decides he wants a change of scenery in the future, he shouldn’t receive excessive scrutiny.
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