On ESPN’s Get Up, Windhorst emphasized that the Lakers are now built around Luka, not LeBron:
> “Everything the Lakers will do going forward will be about number 77. They are now Luka Dončić’s team.”
He followed up by stressing the urgency of locking down Luka to a long-term deal come August:
> “The number one most important thing for the Lakers this offseason is getting Luka Dončić into a contract extension” .
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🔑 Why Luka Comes First
Factor Details
Youth & Future At 25, Luka gives L.A. an opportunity to build a new franchise identity post-LeBron.
Contract Control He’s eligible for a 4‑yr, $228M extension in August. Signing him early avoids 2026 free agency.
Franchise Direction New owner Mark Walter and GM Rob Pelinka see Luka as the next cornerstone—and that shapes all roster moves.
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⚡ Impact on LeBron
LeBron’s role is shifting – Windhorst notes this is the first time in LeBron’s 21+ seasons where the team isn’t built around him.
No superstar extension discussions — the FO isn’t prioritizing securing LeBron long-term.
Tensions rising — With the focus on Luka, LeBron has expressed frustration at feeling sidelined in major decisions.
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🧭 What This Means for L.A.
Rosters moves, cap allocation, and scouting efforts will all orbit around Luka’s skill set—not those of a 40-year-old star.
Trading or parting ways with LeBron seems more likely, depending on how the season unfolds and alignment with Luka’s era.
Loyalty and marketability: Luka’s long-term commitment will reassure free agents that L.A. isn’t just a transition team for LeBron, but a destination built for lasting success.
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Bottom line: Windhorst’s take marks an official franchise pivot—the Lakers are now Luka Dončić’s team, and everything from contracts to roster construction will reflect that. LeBron is still part of the present, but the future belongs to Dončić.
