Lakers Maneuvering to Pair Luka Doncic With $276 Million MVP in Near Future

The Los Angeles Lakers' longterm relationship with LeBron James appears to be nearing the end of its rope as the superstar heads into his age-41 season in 2025-26, which is also his final contract year with the NBA's signature franchise. Decision-makers in L.A. have already made clear, in both word and action, their intention to preserve the ultimate flexibility in the summers of 2026 and 2027 to add superstar talent alongside Luka Doncic, a 26-year-old superstar himself who gives the Lakers legitimate hope of competing with the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference over the next half-decade. In an ideal world for the Lakers, the organization would pair the two for the end of Jokic's prime during the heart of Doncic's prime.