7x NBA champion jokingly mocks Luka Doncic amid reports of him succeeding LeBron James on Lakers - "Got to take beers out of his hand"
Recent speculation suggests the LA Lakers are targeting Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic to be LeBron James' eventual successor. However, ex-Laker Robert Horry pushed back on Doncic's projected fit with LA, jokingly mocking the five-time All-Star's physical fitness.
Doncic is coming off a career year, averaging a league-leading 33.9 points per game en route to making his first NBA Finals appearance. Meanwhile, he is locked under contract until at least 2026, with a player option for the 2026-27 season, and appears content in Dallas.
Nevertheless, on Friday's edition of the "The Mismatch" podcast, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that LA had already begun eyeing Doncic. O'Connor attributed the Lakers' quiet offseason to them planning for Doncic's eventual free agency rather than going all in on building around the 39-year-old James.
"I've reported on this podcast and on The Ringer how they have their sights set for Luka in the future," O'Connor said. "We'll see if that works out. Dallas just made the finals. Dallas is looking better than ever with their supporting cast.
"That may not work out, but the Lakers, by not trading their future picks, clearly they're still thinking long-term, at this point. They're not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with LeBron James."
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However, on Wednesday's edition of the "Big Shot Bob Pod," Horry appeared skeptical about whether Doncic should be LA's primary free agency target.
According to the seven-time NBA champion, Doncic's playstyle is unlikely to age well due to his subpar defense and questionable fitness regimen. Horry quipped that LA would likely need to micromanage the reigning scoring champion to keep him in shape.
"He ain't the best defensive player now, and that's the Lakers' problem," Horry said.
"You've gotta have some athletic guys that can play some defense, and Luka, he can score with the best of them, but you also know you've got to take beers out of his hand because he ain't going to stay in shape. He's going to be good, but he ain't going to be what you need, probably."
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Assuming Luka Doncic declines his player option and enters 2026 free agency, he would only be 27, around the age most players enter their primes. So, he would seemingly have at least three to four peak years left. Nonetheless, it appears Horry would rather see his former squad pivot in another direction.
Watch: Luka Doncic relaxes amidst horses and cattle in offseason farm retreat
Robert Horry likens Lakers' reported Luka Doncic pursuit to failed plan to land Giannis Antetokounmpo
While discussing the Lakers potentially targeting Luka Doncic, Robert Horry compared the situation to the franchise's previously reported failed free agency plan.
LA was heavily connected to Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and purportedly planned to lure him away from Milwaukee once he hit free agency. Instead, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $175.4 million contract extension in October.
According to Horry, he also expects the Lakers' reported interest in Doncic to prove futile. He added that the rumor may even be fabricated.
"Do you remember we had the same scenario about two or three years ago when we were talking about Giannis?" Horry said. "You know, the Lakers were playing the long game to get Giannis.
"It's either these Lakers lovers, who are just trying to throw rumors out there, or it is people who just sit around thinking, 'What insane s**t can we say?'"
So, it appears Horry isn't taking the possibility of Doncic joining LA seriously.
Also Read: Mavericks legend sees potential in Luka Doncic & Serbian star connection in Dallas: "Hopefully he finishes his career there"