LOS ANGELES: The Luka Doncic window gives the Los Angeles Lakers about a decade to build a championship contender, former NBA champion Richard Jefferson said on the Road Trippin’ podcast.
Jefferson argued that the Lakers should not expect immediate results after reshaping their roster around Dončić.
“They got a decade with Luka as a top-10 player,” Jefferson said during the Road Trippin’ discussion. He added that the timeline depended on Dončić remaining healthy.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers forward described Dončić as one of the NBA’s five best players. He said Los Angeles had secured its central piece but still needed to identify the right supporting players.
Jefferson acknowledged that the Lakers had roster gaps. However, he said Dončić’s age gave the franchise enough time to address them over several seasons.
Former NBA champion Channing Frye questioned whether the Lakers had assembled players who complemented Dončić’s elite passing. He identified a rim-running centre as an important requirement.
Los Angeles addressed that position by acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. The Lakers traded two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps for the centre, according to NBA.com.
The Lakers also retained guard Austin Reaves, giving Dončić two long-term supporting pieces. Kessler provides interior defence after averaging 2.4 blocks per game during the 2024-25 season.
