Luka Doncic trade pressure mounts as Lakers insider puts odds of a major move at 65%
Jovan Buha believes that Los Angeles has a high chance of making a move this season and warns that passing up the opportunity to strengthen the team would be a serious mistake.
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a great start to the season, but Luka Doncic’s performance has also raised expectations around the team. With the Slovenian at an extraordinary level , the franchise may have to make an important decision in the trade market to take advantage of an opportunity that will not necessarily come around again.
The possibility already has a number on the table. Journalist Jovan Buha, one of the experts on the current affairs of the Los Angeles organization, estimated that there is a 65% chance that the Lakers will complete a trade during the 2026-27 season . He also issued a warning about what could happen if the front office decides to keep the roster unchanged.
The warning the Lakers received about Luka Doncic
During an appearance on his podcast Buha"s Block, the journalist was asked whether it would be a mistake for Los Angeles not to try to improve its roster in the current context. His response was blunt: he believed that not taking advantage of Doncic’s moment would be a decision very difficult to justify.
"If the Lakers don't make a move and don't try to improve this roster, it would be, to quote you, negligence," Buha said. He then added that it would be a huge mistake to have Luka in his prime and not address some of the team's shortcomings.
The argument is directly related to the Slovenian's performance. Doncic is putting together a spectacular start to the season , averaging 38.3 points, eight rebounds, and 8.1 assists in his first seven games. A level of production that places him among the leading figures in the MVP conversation.
When could the Lakers make the trade?
Although Buha believes that a move is quite likely, he does not necessarily expect it to happen immediately. The journalist noted that the most realistic window for a deal would be between the last week of December and the close of the market, scheduled for February 11, 2027.
One of the important dates is December 15, when many of the players who signed contracts during the last summer transfer window become eligible for a trade.
The positions Los Angeles needs to strengthen
Among the main concerns is the backup center position. Buha believes the Lakers need a more reliable alternative to give Walker Kessler some rest. He also noted that adding a starting small forward could help raise the roster’s competitive level.
The 65% mentioned by the journalist is a personal estimate and not a confirmation of concrete negotiations. However, the message to the front office is clear: with Luka Doncic playing at this level, the Lakers have an opportunity they should not let slip away.
