Discover why Marcus Smart selected the Lakers over other teams, citing LeBron James and Luka Doncic as major influences.

Luka Dončić is evidently a playmaker on and off the court. Bringing Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers was a team effort, one in which Dončić played a meaningful role. On Tuesday, Smart spoke with reporters for his introductory Lakers news conference and credited the recruiting efforts of Dončić as one reason why he's in Los Angeles after reaching a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

It's clear from the offseason moves made by general manager Rob Pelinka that the Los Angeles Lakers are going all-in on an NBA championship in 2025. With star forward Luka Doncic exercising his $52.6 million player option for next season,

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly plan to sign Christian Koloko and Chris Manon to two-way contracts, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to sign 7-footer Christian Koloko and forward Chris Manon on two-way NBA contracts, sources tell ESPN. Manon, undrafted out of Vanderbilt, played for the Warriors in California and Las Vegas summer leagues.

In fact, "there were whispers in league circles about LeBron James having eyes for Dallas," Hollinger reports. But the four-time NBA MVP was not willing to pass on $52.6 million with the Lakers for a non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign.

A ccording to an NBA insider, star forward LeBron James was interested in joining the Dallas Mavericks to team up with former teammates Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. James opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA offseason,