Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is encouraged by the club’s offseason transactions, league sources told Dan Woike of The Athletic.
The front office stayed in regular contact with Doncic while he spent the summer in Ljubljana on the Jordan Brand tour, the report said. During those conversations, the 25-year-old star emphasized his desire for an “A-list” center and the return of backcourt partner Austin Reaves.
The Lakers responded by completing a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler, then signing the 7-foot rim protector to a four-year, $130 million contract. The club also re-signed Reaves to a maximum deal, securing what it hopes will be a long-term backcourt pairing with Doncic.
With their remaining cap space, the Lakers added Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton. Grimes, a longtime friend of Doncic dating to their days with the Dallas Mavericks, is expected to provide perimeter defense and a third scoring option.
The organization envisions Doncic, Reaves and Kessler as the foundation of its next championship push, while the newly signed role players round out the rotation.
This summer also marked a changing of the guard in Los Angeles. The Lakers allowed LeBron James to depart in free agency, and Doncic posted a social-media farewell thanking the veteran for their year-and-a-half together.
Source: LakersNation.com
