Luka Doncic Jokes About Recruiting LeBron, Austin Reaves to Stay with Lakers amid Contract Decisions
As the Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason facing key decisions about LeBron James' future and Austin Reaves' contract, Luka Dončić is at least tempted to help the organization retain both star players.
After the Lakers' season-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, Dončić was asked about recruiting James and Reaves to stay in Los Angeles this summer.
"We'll see. Can't tell you nothing," Dončić jokingly replied.
The Lakers were swept in the second round by the Thunder, marking their first time losing a series 4-0 since the 2023 Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
The outcome also led to immediate speculation about James' playing future, though he did not have any answers in the post-game press conference about whether or not he intends to keep playing.
In addition to James' pending free agency and possible retirement, Reaves could also hit the free-agent market by opting out of his $14.9 million player option for next season.
Coming off the best season of his career, Reaves could sign for up to five years and $241 million on a new deal with the Lakers if he becomes a free agent. He would be eligible for a four-year deal worth up to $180 million from another club.
One of the most frustrating elements for the Lakers this postseason is that they didn't get to see what their big three could do together. Reaves missed the first four games of the playoffs due to an oblique injury.
Dončić didn't play after suffering a hamstring strain against the Thunder on April 2. He admitted following Monday's loss that he "wasn't close" to getting cleared to play.
Prior to the injuries to Reaves and Dončić, the Lakers went 16-2 from Feb. 28 through March 31 with wins over the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers during that span.
Now, the Lakers have to look ahead to determine how they want to shape their roster around Dončić. He is one of only five players on the team signed to a guaranteed contract next season.
The Lakers could be as much as $114 million under the second apron going into free agency. Retaining Reaves and James will be the biggest storyline that everyone will be following until there is a resolution to their situations.
