Lakers predicted to sign $82.5M defensive menace, Finals Champion to build alongside Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on building their future around Luka Doncic. They performed well this season and looked like legitimate contenders, but Doncic made it clear last summer that he wants to win now.

“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.

The Lakers are planning a big summer to invest in Doncic during free agency. A rough estimate of $54 million is expected to be available.

“A more reasonable projection may be $54 million in cap room. However, the Lakers may look to deal their first-round pick, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James (to whatever team his father joins), and possibly Jarred Vanderbilt to maximize flexibility—or even land a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks via trade,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote.

The Lakers have several targets in mind, but one to watch closely is Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lou Dort.

“Perhaps the rich could feel generous in simply thinking a player whose offense has dropped off by the numbers can simply walk with no danger to be had from that. Dort has seen his field goal percentage decline to a career low 38.7 percent. His 34.3 percent from beyond the arc is also below league average. Maybe the Thunder could just be content to choose the easy path. The Lakers would certainly take their chances on adding him as an unrestricted free agent. The decline in percentages offensively is concerning, sure, but the Lakers have Luka Doncic,” Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.

Signing Dort would be a huge boost for the Lakers, but it would require several things to go their way. Dort is in the fourth year of his $82.5 million contract.

The Thunder hold a team option for Dort’s fifth year and may look to shed salary. If OKC ultimately allows him to enter free agency, the Lakers will need to act quickly to secure him and pair him with Luka Doncic.

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