Luka Doncic is drawing a clean line with the Lakers: he wants the roster built, not to help build it.
That approach stands in sharp contrast to the way things played out during the LeBron James era in Los Angeles. James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, but the relationship started to shift in 2021 and never fully settled back into place.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that “There was more of a disconnect between James and the organization, sources said, one that started during the doomed 2021-22 season following the Russell Westbrook trade and never fully recovered. Ultimately, James recognized the Lakers were in a different phase with their franchise and chose to prioritize his basketball happiness, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, in finding his next situation,”
During that stretch, James was often involved in personnel conversations with general manager Rob Pelinka. NBA.com’s Mark Medina wrote that “Expect James and Davis to become involved in those conversations, too.
They always have in three seasons together. They admittedly brainstormed with Pelinka on how to construct the Lakers’ championship roster two years ago.
They openly advocated for the Lakers to pursue Westbrook even when they nearly completed a deal to land Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield,”
Now it’s Doncic’s turn to be the face of the franchise, and Pelinka says the superstar has made his expectations crystal clear.
“Ultimately, I have the final responsibility to make calls on the roster and Luka is very clear like, 'I want you to do your job. I don't want to be the GM, I don't want to be the head coach.
JJ, you are the coach, Rob, you are the GM and president. Do your jobs,” Pelinka said.
Doncic has still been supportive of the organization since arriving in Los Angeles a couple of seasons ago. Pelinka said the superstar did offer him a list of names he would like to play with, but that was the extent of his input.
The message from Doncic is simple: he’s there to compete for championships, not to repeat the same kind of involvement that complicated James’ time with the Lakers.
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