The Los Angeles Lakers made the heist of the century after they acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks. Nevertheless, simply because they acquired a 25-year-old famous person doesn’t essentially imply he’ll keep long-term.
It could sound ridiculous to insinuate that Dončić would go away them for an additional NBA group. Nevertheless, there isn’t a concern of Luka leaving the Lakers for an additional NBA group however leaving the NBA, interval extra particularly, that he would possibly depart for a Saudi Arabian league.
Invoice Simmons Explains Why Saudi Arabia Might Take Luka Dončić Away From Lakers
On the newest episode of Invoice Simmons’ podcast, he defined why Saudia Arabia may doubtlessly be a rival worldwide group to the NBA.
“They’ve a s***load of cash for this and a plan,” Simmons mentioned. “And every thing I’ve heard is that it’s type of actual. I don’t know if they’ve all the cash but, however they’ve sufficient that — may you type a six-team league and persuade 5, six, seven stars to mainly soar when their contracts [are up]?”
For the document, this has been a priority earlier than. Again in 2008, worldwide leagues used to poach gamers from the NBA when some had been nonetheless of their prime. Essentially the most well-known participant that went abroad on the time was Josh Childress, however no worldwide league ever turned a risk.
That doesn’t imply it may’t be in due time. Simmons defined why particularly Dončić can be a candidate to depart.
“Might this be a LIV (a golf league backed by Saudi Arabia) state of affairs?” Simmons requested. “What does he care? He doesn’t have any loyalty to the NBA. He simply acquired traded. Might you construct a league and have like six or seven Luka-type guys? ‘Hey Luka, right here’s 100 million {dollars} a 12 months, you’re enjoying a 35-game season, and also you’re gonna be the face or one of many faces of this league.’
“Like, I believe it’s actual. And I believe the NBA homeowners are just a little extra nervous about it than I believe has been reported thus far.”
Dončić’s contract extends to the 2026-27 season, although he has a participant choice for the final 12 months on his deal. There’s no telling if what Simmons says turns into a actuality, but it surely’s not one thing to brush apart.
Often, when Simmons talks about basketball intel, it’s authentic. It doesn’t imply this can be an issue for the NBA, however the notion that Saudia Arabia could possibly be the NBA’s greatest risk and that Dončić could possibly be a candidate to bolt for it could possibly be introduced up lots from now till 2026.
