Does Doncic have too much say? LA media claims the Lakers are repeating past mistakes: Don’t let him become LeBron.

On July 19, Beijing time, LA media outlet LAKE SHOW LIFE pointed out that for many years, the Los Angeles Lakers have given LeBron James too much influence over roster decisions, and now, as Luka Doncic takes over as the team's core, they are making the same mistake. Here are the media's views—

After winning the championship in 2020, many acquisitions that were clearly wanted by James ended in failure. Fans will immediately think of Russell Westbrook, but players like Vanderbilt, Beverley, Anthony, and several others were directly linked to "King" James. In the NBA, if the role players surrounding a star player do not fit the system, it is difficult to defeat top teams.

Since the shocking trade that brought Doncic to the Lakers, he has already gained considerable influence.The Lakers immediately attempted to trade for Mark Williams to provide Doncic with a threat in the paint for lobs, but the deal was canceled due to a failed physical. This summer, the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to fill that role. The compatibility between the two may be excellent, but it is worth noting that both Doncic and Ayton share the same agent, Bill Duffy.

The Lakers have long been known for catering to star players, but the team cannot sacrifice its own interests in the process.The modern NBA is filled with hidden talents, and teams need compatible roster pieces to win championships. If the Lakers believe that taking a different approach can maximize their championship chances, they must have the courage to withstand the pressure from superstars and choose a different direction.

The Lakers can no longer grant Doncic the same power that they gave to James.James and his agent, Rich Paul, wield significant influence in the NBA. Paul represents many clients, and James has helped several of them secure lucrative contracts. One of LeBron's most significant moves in his career may have been convincing the Lakers to draft his son and give him a four-year contract worth nearly $8 million.

James is keen to weigh in on player personnel decisions, but this often backfires. Convincing Anthony Davis to join the Lakers was a major move that brought them a championship and ultimately paved the way for the team to acquire Doncic, but since winning the title in the 2020 bubble, the team has only won two playoff rounds. In the past five years, they have been eliminated in the first round three times, and in 2022, they missed the playoffs entirely.

Under the latest labor agreement, every penny is crucial, and marginal moves are more critical than ever.Every year, key role players on cheap contracts help teams go further in the playoffs. The Lakers must begin to execute these types of moves with precision to become genuine championship contenders. They cannot simply ask Doncic who he wants to sign and follow through with it.

The Mavericks have already shown the Lakers a blueprint for building around Doncic. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and made it to the Finals in 2024, relying on a secondary ball handler, multiple spacing players, and a big man who can finish at the rim. These elements are key to Doncic driving one of the league's top offenses, and achieving consensus on defense will elevate them into the championship conversation.

Building such a roster falls on Pelinka and the management team. Doncic likely wouldn’t want the kind of power that James and Rich Paul have over the Lakers. Regardless of who is on the roster, Doncic can maximize his teammates' abilities. The pressure is on the team to find the right pieces to help him secure his first championship. This should not be the responsibility of a superstar, and solving this issue may allow the 18th championship banner to fly over Los Angeles sooner rather than later. The initiative lies with the Lakers.