That fact might seem like a technicality to some, as Dončić is widely expected to commit to a long-term Lakers future at some point. But the Lakers learned a long time ago that star players don’t always decide to stick around, as they traded with Orlando for Dwight Howard in the summer of 2012 only to see him head to Houston in free agency a year later. And when it came to the Mavericks-Lakers trade talks that led to the deal, league and team sources say Dončić’s uncertain long-term status was the primary reason the Lakers were able to avoid giving up their 2031 first-round pick in the deal (Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first went to Dallas). -via New York Times / May 2, 2025