Between LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Los Angeles Lakers have been able to manage some of the league’s biggest superstars, and Luka Doncic is next in line.
The Los Angeles Lakers have one fewer NBA championship than the Boston Celtics, but they remain the flashiest and most famous franchise in the sport.
For all but two of their 78 seasons, the Lakers have had a surefire Hall of Fame player on their team, and if either Julius Randle or Brandon Ingram makes it, then the Lakers can boast at least one Hall of Famer in every season of their existence.
Much like the city they call home, the Lakers have built around some of the flashiest stars in the world and found great success.
From George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic, the Lakers have had more than their fair share of fame.
Other teams, like the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and even Golden State Warriors, built cultures over several years that led to winning. The Lakers, on the other hand, give icons the keys to the franchise and build around the stars.
While it has bit them, the success is undeniable, and the stardom the Lakers shower on elite players makes them a desirable landing spot for the biggest names in the sport.
“They have this culture, and this is to Jeanie Buss’ credit, that continues to stand the test of time when it comes to the way superstar players are treated,” said The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “If you talk to LeBron and his people about his Lakers experience, even when there are frustrations about the roster, one of the consistent things in terms of feedback is that the Lakers really know how to treat stars and how to make them feel the love and give them a place where they don’t want to leave.”
As the Lakers prepare for James’ inevitable decline and retirement, the keys of the franchise have been given to Doncic. Usually not one to absorb the spotlight, the Lakers have gone out of their way to make Doncic comfortable and appreciated, and it hasn’t gone ignored.
“It didn’t take him too long,” said Amick of Doncic. “It helped the Lakers that he’s personality-wise known to be a guy who doesn’t really like change. That’s why the Mavs trade kind of rocked him to his core. He didn’t expect it and didn’t want to leave Dallas. So you know, he’s there for three more years.”
The Lakers already have their star of the future in place and have done a decent job of surrounding him with talent, and Doncic is expected to take off this season.
When the Lakers had to pick between Kobe and Shaq, Bryant rewarded them with two more titles and an MVP award. They added Pau Gasol to complement him, and tried to build a roster with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard as well.
While the Nash/Howard/Kobe Lakers didn’t pan out, their efforts to maximize the end of his prime can’t be ignored. The Lakers were quick to give Doncic a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension, showing their belief in him, and he is expected to lead the franchise.
With James, Deandre Ayton, and Austin Reaves all offering support, the Lakers have shown Doncic that he will get the same treatment as Magic and Kobe, both on and off the court, and that’s nearly impossible to pass up.
While the way they treat role-players like Alex Caruso (who walked in free agency in 2021 when the Lakers refused to pony up) leaves a lot to be desired, Doncic will have all the advantages of being a star in LA, and the team’s track record speaks for itself.
