Luka Doncic placed on a present at EuroBasket, main the event in scoring with 34.7 factors per sport, whereas including 8.6 rebounds and seven.1 assists. Regardless of Slovenia’s exit within the spherical of eight, Doncic’s play was the story of the occasion.
“Doncic was one of the best participant at EuroBasket: 34.7 factors a sport (first within the event), 8.6 rebounds (eighth) and seven.1 assists (tied for second),” Dan Woike of The Athletic reported. “He might not win MVP as a result of Slovenia was eradicated within the spherical of eight, however that was so far as he might carry this roster.”
Coming off a summer season the place his conditioning work went viral, Doncic appeared locked in, and his kind is already impacting the Lakers’ considering. “The Lakers’ stance on roster enhancements heading into this season has shifted due to the beginning of this new chapter collectively,” in keeping with league and group sources.
One precedence is including wing depth, an space the Lakers know they need assistance. Woike particularly pointed to Miami’s Andrew Wiggins as a goal. “A participant like Miami’s Andrew Wiggins, whom the Lakers weren’t concerned about earlier this summer season, is now a extra fascinating participant, supplied the value is true,” Kurt Helin of NBC Sports activities wrote.
Wiggins averaged 18 factors and 4.5 rebounds on 37.4 p.c capturing from three final season. He’s owed $28.2 million this yr with a participant choice value $30.2 million subsequent yr. Any potential commerce could be difficult. Each the Warmth and Lakers are hard-capped, and Los Angeles sits simply $1.1 million beneath the primary apron.
“…Any commerce that sees the Warmth shed wage and the Lakers tackle Wiggins should contain a 3rd group, probably Brooklyn (it has cap area),” Helin defined. “That’s quite a bit that has to return collectively.”
With LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and newcomers Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Good already within the combine, the Lakers need to see how this group seems to be.
READ MORE: Luka Doncic Drops One other Loopy Statline However Slovenia Bow Out