Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball around Karlo Matkovic #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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The Los Angeles Lakers are now Luka Doncic's team.

From all reports, public interviews, press conferences, and team movements, everything points to the Lakers being the Slovenian superstar's home for the next decade as the face of the franchise.

Don't tell that to Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, who don't think that is the best plan if they want to compete for another NBA championship.

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While there's been discussion and rumors about whether the Lakers could somehow offload LeBron James' heavy contract or possibly move Austin Reaves for a significant piece, the "Game Over" podcast duo sees it differently.

The Lakers shouldn't be trying to build around Doncic.

They should trade him and maximize his value when it is at its highest.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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"I would give serious consideration to moving Luka," Kellerman told Paul. If you want to win a championship, your best player needs to be willing to play team defense, like Steph Curry. Steph is a bad defender, but he's a willing defender.

Kellerman would then go on to say that Doncic and Reaves are redundant players, and even if Doncic is the better player, you can get more for the former Maverick, who is now under contract for a few more years after re-signing with the Lakers this offseason. Reaves is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, which brings down his value to a team that would want him long-term.

Doncic's defense has been a point of concern, but it has been a widespread problem for the Lakers on the campaign. Head coach JJ Reddick has spoken privately with his star players, such as Doncic and James, about playing stronger defense. Reaves has also been out with a calf strain injury that he reaggravated, sidelining him for at least a month.

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The Lakers sit at 24-14 and fifth in a tough Western Conference, but their underlying analytics and stats suggest they should be much worse than their record indicates. L.A. has been one of the best teams this year in clutch victories, winning games that come down to the final minute. If some of those wins went the other way, they could be out of the playoffs.

Although the Lakers aren't expected to trade Doncic, the atmosphere around the team that started jovial is beginning to sour as cries of trade involving every member of the Los Angeles roster ring out online.

Doncic, James, and the rest of the Lakers will host the Charlotte Hornets (14-26) on Thursday night.

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