Three-time Lakers champion warns franchise off targeting Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers know that the LeBron James era has an expiration date. He is entering his age-39 season and will turn 40 before the end of the year. Therefore, it's wise for the Lakers to have a plan in place for when James eventually calls time on his career.

Near the end of August, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that the Lakers were eying Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic as the next elite basketball player to don the Purple and Gold. O'Connor's comments came via an episode of "The Ringer NBA Show."

"I've reported on this podcast and on The Ringer how they have their sights set for Luka in the future," O'Connor said during a recent episode of The Mismatch. "We'll see if that works out. Dallas just made a 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 are still thinking long-term at this point. They're not going all in like you might expect many teams to do with James."

Doncic is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. He would be guaranteed to improve the Lakers rotation. Nevertheless, former champion Robert Horry has warned his former team to avoid adding the perennial MVP candidate, especially if they're forced to wait until the end of his current contract.

“You got to think about this, Luka is going to be how old," Horry said on a recent episode of the "Big Shot Bob" podcast. "...He ain’t the best defensive player now, and that’s the Lakers’ problem. You gotta have some athletic guys that can play some defense, and Luka, he can score with the best of them, but we also know you gotta take beers out of his hand because he ain’t the one to stay in shape. He gonna be good, but he ain’t gonna be what you need probably.”

Horry won seven championships over the course of his NBA career. He's earned the right to voice his opinion and have it taken seriously. He may also have a point about Doncic's longevity at the top of the NBA. There are few players out there with as much natural talent as the Dallas Mavericks star, though. He oozes skill every time he touches the ball, and his presence ensures defenses are forced to make compromises elsewhere on the court.

Whether the Lakers choose to target Doncic or another star, eventually, they will have to push their chips into the middle. James doesn't have long left in the NBA. However, for now, everybody will likely sit back and enjoy the ride as the Lakers try to get him his fifth (and what would likely be his final) championship ring.