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NBA expert says why ‘it’s hard’ to see the LA Lakers winning a championship despite Luka Doncic contract extension

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 12:31 PM ET

With Luka Doncic signing an extension, the next goal for the Los Angeles Lakers is to win an NBA Championship.

The 2025-26 NBA season seems like the perfect opportunity for the Los Angeles Lakers to realize that dream.

After all, they have the likes of LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton on the roster around Luka Doncic, who is now in the best shape of his career.

However, it’s easier said than done due to the level of competition in the Western Conference.

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David Dennis Jr. gives a reality check for the LA Lakers

Even last season, the Lakers finished the regular season as the third seed in the West, but could last only five games in the postseason.

Sure, the Lakers have significantly improved their roster, but NBA expert David Dennis Jr. reminded fans of the presence of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship-winning roster.

“It’s hard for me to see that right now, and it’s not really anything against the Lakers. It’s mostly the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are in the league right now and are built to win championships for the foreseeable future.

“The Lakers have a lot of work to do if they want to figure out how to get a championship,” Dennis Jr. said via ESPN’s First Take.

He added: “LeBron James is going to be there this year, and we don’t know what’s beyond that, right? So you’ve got to build stars and bring stars to LA around Luka within this three-year window.

“And you’ve got to figure out how to climb the mountain of OKC.”

Even if Doncic is eager to reach the NBA Finals as a member of the Lakers, the threat of the Thunder cannot be overlooked.

David Dennis Jr. reminds fans the OKC Thunder’s core is there to stay

Adding more to his insight, Dennis Jr. then pointed out that the Thunder front office have stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren locked in to long-term deals.

“They re-signed everybody. SGA is there, JDub is there, Chet is there. They’re young; they’re healthy. They’re going to be in the picture for at least the next three years,” he continued.

So, does it mean that the Lakers should give up on their title hopes? No. Dennis Jr. laid down a blueprint of success for the iconic franchise over the next three seasons or so.

“So if you’re the Lakers, you have to have that in mind. And you have to think, it’s not just going to be Luka and LeBron beyond this year because we don’t know what LeBron’s future is.

“You have to figure out what we can build around Luka Doncic, who is going to be MVP caliber for the next few years. What can we build around him to put an actual championship contender in Los Angeles?” he concluded.

Fortunately, GM Rob Pelinka has multiple expiring contracts that can be used to further bolster the roster this offseason.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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