The Los Angeles Lakers are fully focused on building their future around generational superstar Luka Doncic. After pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks to get him ahead of the trade deadline last year, Doncic has taken over for LeBron James as the team's franchise player.

Luka Doncic Says His Goal In Los Angeles Is Simple: “Bring Championships To The City” originally appeared on Fadeaway World.

Luka Doncic reached out to newly available guard Marcus Smart, letting it be known that he wants the veteran to join the Los Angeles Lakers, following Smart’s contract buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards,

Luka Doncic actively reached out to Marcus Smart to lure him to L.A. before he finalized a buyout deal with the Washington Wizards.

As a notable footnote, LeBron James listed Smart as an aspirational player comparison for his son, Bronny, during a 2024 episode of "Mind the Game" alongside then-co-host JJ Redick, who is now entering his second season as the Lakers' head coach.

While other teams like the Suns and Bucks reportedly pursued Smart as a free agent, turns out, Luka Doncic helped recruit Smart to Los Angeles. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Doncic "reached out to Smart and made it clear that he wanted to play with the two-way stalwart."

The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy planning their future since February and are arguably the team with the most eyes on them heading into the 2025–26 season.

With his response, Doncic appears to have shut down any speculation about his future in LA. For the five-time All-Star, he wants to be remembered for raising more banners as a Laker, a feat that many greats before him have achieved.

Although Luka Doncic recently arrived in Los Angeles, his future remains a topic of speculation among NBA insiders. In a video posted by the Lakers, he shared how he wishes to be remembered in the franchise,