Report: Lakers "Keeping an Eye on Luka Doncic." Is the Future Prioritized Over LeBron?

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor has noted a couple of times throughout the offseason that the Lakers are keeping an eye on Luka Doncic, should something sour in his relationship with the Dallas Mavericks. Now, the Mavs just went to the Finals, have Luka under contract for another few years (including an option) and he's also extension-eligible, and there's no reason to believe at this point that Doncic won't ink that paper with Dallas.

Of course, none of that means he can't still be traded, but the point is, this isn't a matter of a disgruntled star making noise.

So what are we doing here? Is this really a thing to watch, or just a massive Captain Obvious moment? (Of course the Lakers are keeping an eye on Luka, just in case. So are 28 other teams.) Or is there something more because it's the Lakers?

The important thing: It's not really about Luka, or any of the stars out there for that matter. Doncic here is shorthand for "the next guy the Lakers would bring in to pair with Anthony Davis after LeBron retires." When will that be? Nobody really knows. The biggest question from the Lakers standpoint is how they view the process of finding that player. Is it something they start thinking about now? Do they begin hoarding cap space for a certain summer when Player X might become available? How aggressive would they be in the interim?

These are the questions that will determine the kind of product the Lakers will put on the floor until Luka, or whoever, becomes (potentially) available.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are reportedly "keeping an eye" on Luka Doncic.

SEGMENT 2: What exactly does that mean, and how does it impact the Lakers?

SEGMENT 3: What do the Lakers "owe" LeBron?

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