Hernández: Lakers ‘commitment to Luka Doncic raises questions about Lebron James’ role

Close to the conclusion of the press conference to face its extension of the contract with the Lakers, Luka Doncic detailed the training program that contributed to its surprising weight loss.

When he finished talking about how he raised weight and abstained to play basketball for a month, the general manager Rob Pelinka made a point to offer some thoughts.

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“Luka has done all the job,” said Pelinka, “but it is important to have a support system around you to help you do the great job.”

Pelinka continued to praise Doncic’s coach, Anze Macek, and the physiotherapist, Javier Barrio. He observed how Macek and Barrio “worked perfectly” with the Lakers staff. He checked Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy, and the corporate director, Lara Beth Seager.

To find out more: “Just the Beginning”: Luka Doncic on why accepted a three -year contract extension of $ 165 million

These were not compliments for the garden variation.

This was a commitment of loyalty.

Shortly after Doncic was exchanged by the Dallas Maverks with the Lakers last season, the stories emerged on the tensions between his internal circle and former team.

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Pelinka’s words contained an indirect message: We will support you how Mavericks did not do. This is your team.

The commitment was formalized on Saturday, the Lakers who sign the 26 -year -old Doncic at an extension of the three -year contract of 165 million dollars.

The press conference ended with seven Lakers players and coach JJ Radick who emerge from behind to take a photo with Doncic while raising his shirt. A couple of players, the Deandre Ayton center and the guard Marcus Smart, were personally recruited in the Doncic team.

Doncic is now officially the center of the Lakers universe, and however inevitable it seemed from the moment in which Pelinka acquired it, the dynamic intensifies a question that was initially raised last season: what does this mean for Lebron James?

Saturday should not be done too much about James’ absence from the press conference, given that Austin Reaves was not even there. However, James is under contract for only one more season and Doncic for at least three others, and how will James take care of not being the focal point of his franchise? James is a player who is used to exerting a boundless influence on the teams that employ him, enough to where the 17 -time NBA Lakers champion enrolled his underpowered son.

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While the Lakers once had visions of Anthony Davis who replaced James as the face of their franchise, the imaginary witness was never overcome. The Lakers did not do a big problem of Davis’ extension two years ago as they did with Doncic on Saturday, for which a Doncic -themed photo gallery was erected for the press conference.

There is a restless feeling for the situation, largely because James did not clearly communicate his thoughts. When James exercised his player’s option for the next season, his agent said that, since James wanted to play for the championships and Lakers “built for the future”, their field wanted to “evaluate what is best for Lebron at this stage of his life and career”.

40-year-old James will have a say in what happens, since his agreement includes a no-trade arrangement.

When asked about how James saw the summer of the Lakers and if he thought that James would retire with the team, Pelinka replied: “So all the interactions we had with Lebron and his field, [agent Rich Paul] In particular, they have been positive and support. So very professional and rich it was fantastic. The dialogue with him was open and constant.

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“In terms of Lebron’s career, I think the number one that we have to do is respect that he and the decision of his family in terms of how long he will play. I think he is first of all and we want to respect his ability to elaborate his calendar about that. I think he is really important, but if he had had the opportunity to go on the occasion like Laker, it would be great.”

In other words, there was not quite clarity for Pelinka to be able to say with any degree of certainty, yes, he thought that James would withdraw a Laker.

Doncic accepted an offer from Lakers to be their next headliner. This was an important development for them. But to be able to correctly show their next act, they will have to close their precedent, whether it is accepting a support role or deciding to take his talents elsewhere.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.