‘Didn’t choose…’ NBA expert urges Luka Doncic to make ‘build a contender’ decision with LA Lakers extension

NBA insider warns Luka Doncic against extending LA Lakers contract this summer

CBS analyst Sam Quinn took to X to discuss the potential of Luka Doncic re-signing with the Lakers. Quinn is opposed to the superstar extending his contract with the team.

While he doesn’t think Doncic necessarily needs to leave the Lakers, Quinn believes that the team hasn’t done enough to earn his trust in the long run.

“Luka should not extend this offseason. I am NOT saying he should leave the Lakers. I am saying there’s no good reason for him to extend yet.

“He’s been there six months. What have the Lakers done so far to prove they’re the best team for him? He didn’t choose to go there.

“If I’m Luka, I’m not extending this offseason. Period. I feel no loyalty to a team I just joined against my will.

“That doesn’t mean he should absolutely leave. It means the Lakers should have to prove they deserve him. Give them a year to build a contender. If they can’t? Walk.”

LA Lakers must earn the confidence of their superstar

For Luka Doncic, his entire life and career took an unexpected turn when he joined the Lakers. Doncic loved representing the Dallas Mavericks and wanted to spend his entire career there.

He envisioned himself having a career similar to Dirk Nowitzki, who was a Mavericks player his entire career. But alas, that just wasn’t in the cards.

Now on the Lakers, Doncic must be a shrewd operator. The Mavericks trade has taught him that the NBA is a business, and he must be both a basketball player and a businessman.

Will the Lakers’ prioritizing Doncic over LeBron James be something the Slovenian star makes a mental note of? It’s possible the star might wonder whether he would meet the same fate later in his career.

For the Lakers, it is imperative that they earn Doncic’s trust and build a team around him that keeps him satisfied for years to come.