Luka Doncic confesses how he hopes to be remembered at the Los Angeles Lakers, shutting down doubts about his future

With the acquisition of Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers have strategically bolstered their roster by securing a pivotal cornerstone for the franchise’s future. Despite recent reports casting doubt on his long-term tenure with the Lakers, Doncic has openly expressed his aspirations for how he wishes to leave his mark on the franchise, subtly addressing his intentions for the future.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers are feeling some anxiety about the upcoming contract extension deadline on August 2. He mentions that several teams are keeping a close watch on the situation, possibly ready to make a bid for the player’s services. However, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports that the franchise remains confident in retaining him. The player has shown no signs of discontent, only a commitment to reaching his full potential.

Furthermore, The Los Angeles Lakers recently uploaded a video to their YouTube channel dedicated to Luka Doncic. In the video, the star was asked how he wants to be remembered within the franchise. Without hesitation, he answered, “the guy that brought championships to the city, for sure.” His statement reflected his commitment to the to break the franchise’s four-year championship drought and lifting his first-ever NBA championship in Los Angeles.

Arriving midway through the 2024-25 season, Luka Doncic seamlessly adapted to life with the Lakers. In just 28 games, he delivered an impressive performance, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Although he has not yet matched the 32-plus points he averaged during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he remains a formidable and influential player on the court.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass past Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Luka Doncic reportedly pushed for Marcus Smart to join him on the Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Doncic continues to assert his growing influence in Los Angeles, solidifying his role as a key decision-maker for the team. As the 2025-26 season approaches, Rob Pelinka has added only two centers, DeAndre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes, prompting fans to demand more defensive reinforcements. Responding to this demand, Doncic reached out to Marcus Smart, aiming to persuade him to join the Lakers, as reported by Marc Stein.

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Their conversation appears to have been fruitful, with Shams Charania reporting that the Washington Wizards have agreed to a buyout with Marcus Smart. This move allows him to join Los Angeles, where he will play alongside Doncic. Consequently, the Lakers are poised to field a significantly stronger starting five with the addition of Smart, potentially offering a more solid lineup than last season.

Marc Stein’s insights underscore Luka Doncic’s growing importance within the franchise, highlighting his emergence as the face of the team over LeBron James. By personally reaching out to Marcus Smart, he demonstrates his position as the cornerstone of the franchise, as they aim to reclaim their championship status.