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Luka Doncic, LA Lakers

Luka Dončić's EuroBasket Performance Shifts Lakers' Stance on Roster Improvements! 🏀🔥 

The Los Angeles Lakers' stance on roster improvements "has shifted" after NBA superstar Luka Dončić's play in EuroBasket, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. Dončić arguably looked like the best basketball player in the world during EuroBasket, where he averaged 34.7 points for Slovenia.

The Lakers are interested in trading for Miami Heat small forward Andrew Wiggins, who will make $28.2 million in 2025-26 and has a player option worth $30.2 million for the 2026-27 season. Wiggins was acquired by the Heat from the Golden State Warriors in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade last season.

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Dončić, who signed a three-year extension this offseason, recruited Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Los Angeles. Lakers head coach JJ Redick is expected to start Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Ayton next season. Reaves also recruited Jake LaRavia in free agency this offseason.

Dončić has lost 30 pounds since last summer, going from 230 pounds to 200 pounds. The five-time All-Star appeared in just 28 games with the Lakers last season after the Mavericks shockingly traded him in February. The talented point-forward averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists with the purple and gold.

Luka Dončić enters next season third in NBA history in points per game, with career averages of 28.2 points with the Mavericks and Lakers.

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