Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith have been close friends dating back to their stint on the Dallas Mavericks together. Even before reuniting on the Lakers in the wake of Doncic’s shocking trade to L.A. last year, the then-Mavericks star had said Finney-Smith was “my guy,” and predicted they’d team up again in the future.

The Los Angeles Lakers adding what many believe to be the key piece their 2024 roster was missing to make an NBA Finals run when they signed 7-foot center DeAndre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal on Wednesday.

Conversely, while James' future in L.A. still remains up in the air, it's expected that Doncic will re-sign with the team, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2, or he can sign a three-year, $165 million extension with a 2028 player option.