NBA WRITER PREDICTS LAKERS WILL RETIRE DONCIC'S JERSEY

NBA writer Jason Jones, writing for The Athletic, has predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers will eventually retire Luka Doncic's jersey number. Jones said Doncic has a chance to build a new legacy with the Lakers as the superstar who carries the franchise forward after LeBron James. The prediction comes early in Doncic's Lakers career, with the guard having played only a partial season for the team. Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers during the 2025 trade deadline. Jones wrote that it remains "wild to believe" Doncic was traded, adding that the guard will be "forever beloved" in Dallas.

Doncic spent more than six seasons with the Mavericks, becoming the centrepiece of their offence and leading the team to the 2024 NBA Finals. He wore the number 77 jersey in Dallas. Dirk Nowitzki, whose own number the Mavericks retired, has been cited as a comparison point for any future decision on Doncic's Dallas number. The Lakers have made no statement on retiring Doncic's number, and the prediction reflects Jones's own assessment of how his Lakers career may unfold.

Jones drew a comparison with Chris Paul, who spent six seasons with the LA Clippers, earned six All-Star selections and reached the playoffs each year without having his number retired. The Clippers have indicated that Bradley Beal will wear Paul's former number 3, a move Jones cited as evidence that even long-serving franchise stars are not guaranteed the honour. Jones's article also named other current NBA stars he believes could eventually have their numbers retired, with Doncic among those he highlighted. Neither the Lakers nor the Mavericks have announced any decision on retiring a number for Doncic.