There’s nothing the Los Angeles Lakers can do about the 2024-25 NBA season. Straight into their prolonged offseason, introspection and a roster shakeup seem like the only available options. What are they lacking? A center for the team. Luka Doncic’s arrival won’t fill the void that reportedly was left by Anthony Davis in LA. However, the 31-year-old forward wasn’t bluffing five months ago, and now even Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss can sense it.

In January 2025, AD sat down with ESPN’s Shams Charania for an interview where he laid his heart out for the world and the Lakers front office to know. Amidst the active trade window, it felt like taking a risk that would be worth every dime. Davis had one primary demand: the roster needs a five. “I think we need another big. I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been a four and having a big out there,” the Brow had said. “We know it worked when we won a championship with JaVale and Dwight, them at the five and I’m at the four.”

Soon after, Anthony Davis found himself in a trade that moved him to the Dallas Mavericks.  And the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic. No, things didn’t happen overnight. Rob Pelinka was reportedly focused on the next 5–7 years, and saw the Slovenian star as the best—or only—choice after LeBron. “Anthony Davis wanted it [center] so bad, he arranged an interview with Shams to ask for it publicly because privately wasn’t working,” Brian Windhorst reported on First Take.

“LeBron wanted the same thing. They didn’t do it. Luka gets there, and they do it,” Windy further noted. It’s true, the Los Angeles Lakers are scanning the league to find the best-fit five for the roster. Even when LeBron and Davis demanded one, the front office ignored them, but with Luka, they responded immediately—he is the future! “That’s because Luka is their main guy right now. He’s their main focus,” Brian Windhorst confirmed. So what about James Sr.? Stephen A. wanted him to take responsibility for keeping Doncic on the team.

The ESPN reporter added: “LeBron’s responsibility is to remain in fantastic condition, be a leader in the locker room, and support Luka. That’s his role. The terms of building the roster and forming it around a player — that was LeBron for six years. That’s not LeBron anymore.” Like Bron said, Doncic is 26, the team should build around him and not around a 40-year-old star who’s at the twilight of his career.

The latest rumors suggest that Rob Pelinka has an eye on Houston’s Jalen Green, who isn’t a center either.
However, the GM is willing to go to any extent to help LeBron with his 5th ring next season. As Anthony Davis’ trade truth emerges, the NBA plans something intriguing for the Slovenian magician.

NBA announces big Luka Doncic decision amid Anthony Davis reality

Luka Doncic‘s debut season in purple and gold has been nothing short of a wild ride. In a shocking twist, the Dallas Mavericks sent their franchise cornerstone packing in a trade centered around Anthony Davis. It didn’t take long for the results to speak. The Lakers surged to the third seed. Dallas? They couldn’t even make the playoffs.

Though Los Angeles bowed out early to Minnesota, the future looks electric with Doncic running the show. And now, the calendar brings drama. Meanwhile, in just five months, the 26-year-old Slovenian will meet his former team. As reported by NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers are set to clash with the Mavericks in a preseason showdown this October. Expect fireworks.

So here we are. Anthony Davis is gone. Luka Doncic is in. The Lakers missed one shot, but might have found something greater. As the NBA sets the stage for October, all eyes turn to the purple and gold, where the past, present, and future are ready to collide.