The debate over whether or not Luka Doncic, also known as “Luka Magic,” has lost his fourth-quarter magic is a hot-button issue. In the meantime, Doncic, 26, reportedly asked the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for a specific NBA player, per Athlon Sports. Doncic’s request is interesting, to say the least.
Luka Doncic Asks Los Angeles Lakers
According to Athlon Sports, Luka Doncic’s preferred lob partner was Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka traded Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and a future first-round pick for Williams, 23, on Feb. 6, 2025. However, Pelinka’s trade was rescinded due to the Hornets failing to meet part of the deal. Still, Doncic preferred Williams, who reportedly reminded him of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Doncic In Los Angeles
Luka Doncic is one of the most popular players in the NBA. Since 2018, Doncic has proved to the NBA world he’s a force to be reckoned with, along with a generational talent. Doncic has his flaws, but his talents — especially his ability to create space and get to his shot at any point of the clock — outweigh the former. The Los Angeles Lakers just happened to struggle without an excess of size, talent and endurance in 2024-25.
Final Thoughts
Luka Doncic is arguably a top 75 player in the history of the NBA. However, Doncic wasn’t an immediate solution to the Los Angeles Lakers’ struggles in 2024-25 and perhaps won’t be a namesake solution until 2025-26 or later. James reportedly hopes Doncic will stay in Los Angeles for the long term.The Lakers were eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs following a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on April 30.
Minnesota won the series 4-1. Rudy Gobert led the Timberwolves with 27 points and 24 rebounds, while Doncic led the Lakers with 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Doncic’s performance was good, but he can’t carry the Lakers on his own back, just like the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers were out-rebounded by the Timberwolves 54-37, including 18-8 on the offensive glass, in Game 5. Pelinka held his end-of-the-season press conference on May 1, where he addressed the issue.“We know this offseason, one of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position.
“This roster needs more size and needs a center. That’s a very clear and obvious by-product of trading potentially the best big in the league to Dallas to get a point guard,” Pelinka told reporters. “Of course, that’s going to open up a huge hole … The trade deadline and the moments up to it don’t allow you the requisite time to explore every single unturned stone to add a big to our roster. We just didn’t have the time after the Luka trade. But now we do.”
