Seven-time NBA champ Robert Horry states the Los Angeles Lakers “gotta hide beers” if they get Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. 

“You got to think about this, Luka is going to be how old (when his current deal expires)?” Horry stated on his podcast. “Like 31, 32? … He ain’t the best defensive player now and that’s the Lakers problem. You gotta have some athletic guys that can play some defense and Luka, he can score with the best of them, but we also know you gotta take beers out of his hand because he ain’t the one to stay in shape. He gonna be good but he ain’t gonna be what you need probably.”

According to NBA press reporter Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Lakers have their “sights set” Doncic after LeBron James retires. 

LeBron, 39, is the earliest gamer in the NBA. He turns 40 in December and might retire in 2025 or 2026. 

“I’ve reported on this podcast and on the Ringer how they have their sights set for Luka in the future,” O’Connor stated. “We’ll see if that exercises. Dallas simply made a Finals. Dallas is looking much better than ever with their supporting cast. That might not exercise.

“But the Lakers, by not trading their future picks, clearly they’re still thinking long-term at this point. They’re not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with LeBron James.”

The Mavericks can sign Doncic to a five-year, $346 million extension in 2025. That agreement would be the wealthiest handle NBA history. 

Dallas signed Doncic to a five-year, $215 million extension in August 2021. Since going into the NBA in 2018, Doncic has actually developed himself as one of the very best gamers in the association. 

A future Hall of Famer, Doncic has profession averages of 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 helps, 1.2 takes and 0.5 blocks. 

Doncic balanced 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 helps, 1.4 takes and 0.5 blocks last season for the Mavericks while shooting 48.7% from the field, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line. He was initially in the NBA in points and points per video game. 

The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals in 5 video games, while the Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the preliminary in 5 video games. 

Dallas will not trade Doncic unless he demands a trade and the chances of that taking place are extremely, extremely low.