While Luka Doncic is happy to be a Los Angeles Laker, the organization could help make the young star more comfortable in the offseason by pairing him with a familiar face.
In a beneficial free agent signing, the Lakers could reunite Doncic with a respected NBA champion guard and boost Los Angeles’ title hopes entering the 2025-26 campaign.
“(Kyrie) Irving and Doncic were basically two peas in a pod, with Irving outright stating on numerous occasions how dominant of a player Doncic was as well as how good of a friend he was,” The Wrightway Sports Network’s Daniel Alameda wrote Monday.
“He often talked about their families being close, spending time off the court enjoying each other’s presence, and just a pure enjoyment on both of their faces when they are on the court.”
“All in all, Dallas made a move to try winning the NBA Finals, but there is a serious connection between Irving being ‘out-of-the-loop’ in Dallas to where he joins two of his former teammates in Los Angeles.”
Sadly, Irving and Doncic’s partnership in Dallas didn’t last long, but the electric guard duo was exhilarating to watch nightly.
Irving’s And1 ball-handling style and clutch shot-making, combined with Doncic’s patient and strategic offensive approach, made the Mavericks a challenging match-up for numerous NBA clubs.
The two superstars guided Dallas to a surprising NBA finals appearance last year after the team finished the regular season with a 50-32 record.
Although the Boston Celtics defeated the Mavericks in five games, many Dallas fans were excited about the franchise’s future.
However, the Mavericks had other plans during the 2024-25 trade season, compelling them to ship Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in early February.
If Los Angeles is serious about convincing Doncic to stay for the long haul, it will consider bringing the Slovenian phenom and Irving back together in free agency and strengthening its roster.
Considering Irving, who won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, has also established a relationship with LeBron James, it makes sense for the Lakers to go all-out for the eight-time All-Star if he becomes a free agent.
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