SInce he first joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2018 offseason , the Lakers, to their own detriment, have capitulated to the every whim of LeBron James and Klutch Sports. James and his camp was seen as the driving force behind the hiring and firing of coaches and roster moves. However an ESPN personality says that time is coming to an end.
According to former NBA player and current ESPN talking head, Kendrick Perkins, there is a changing of the guard in Tinseltown.
“It’s a new sheriff in town, or should I say sheriffs, plural, in town, in L.A. Yes they have a new owner and by the way, I don’t believe somebody’s apaying close to $10 billion for a team and is not going to be the shot caller. I know they have reports that Jeanie Buss [ is going to continue to run the team], I don’t believe that.
You ain’t paying 10 billion without calling the shots.
When I say new sheriffs, it’s not just because of the new owner, it’s because the focal point, the franchise guy is Luka Dončić, an international superstar. Its not a 40-year-old LeBron James, its not Rich Paul and Klutch Sports no more. Its Luka and WME [Basketball ], Bill Duffy. I said DeAndre Ayton was going to sign with the Lakers, because you know who DeAndre Ayton is represented by? WME
So if you don’t think that Luka is having a say in what’s going on with the Lakers’ front office, you’re crazy as hell. But rightfully so, they need him, they want him to re-sign that contract, this extrnstion that’s coming up. Hell yea you want to make sure he’s involved.
Dončić, fat more than James is the player the Lakers must look to hitch their wagon to, not only presently but for the future, particularly if they want him to sign the contract extension for which he will soon be eligible.
Although the trade from the Mavericks to the Lakers last season nullified his eligibility for a supermax deal worth $345 million, Dončić is eligible to sign a 4-year, $223 million extension on August 2. He could also sign a shorter deal that would allow him to become a 10-year veteran in 2028 and potentially sign a $406 million deal, according to The New York Times.
