Luka Dončić, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have been able to maintain their position as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 45-29 record despite their pronounced lack of center depth and No. 16 ranked 36.1% team three-point shooting efficiency.
In fact, it’s plausible that Pelinka and his staff could look to make an upgrade to their long-range shooting personnel by negotiating a deal to sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agent and veteran shooting guard from the Detroit Pistons, Tim Hardaway Jr., this summer.
At 33 years old and in his 12th NBA season, Hardaway Jr. has proven to be a fairly consistent source of distance shooting and overall scoring expertise.
Hardaway Jr. also possesses a skillset Dončić happens to be familiar with, as the 6-foot-5 flamethrower sunk five three-pointers in Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals as a member of the Mavericks last season, breaking a franchise record for most threes made in a single NBA Finals contest.
In 69 appearances with the Pistons this season, he has served as a valuable bench asset by averaging 10.6 points while knocking down 36.5% of his 5.8 three-point attempts.
As a prospective member of the Lakers for the 2025-26 season, the former No. 24 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks could theoretically slot in as a productive catch-and-shoot option for the Lakers’ superstar play-making duo of Dončić and James.
Hardaway Jr. could even be deployed for the sole purpose of knocking down three’s off of drive-and-kick opportunities from the corners, as he’s knocked down 37.7% of his looks from that spot on the floor throughout his 805-game career.
The Lakers may have more important matters to attend to this offseason regarding their center room, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see the storied franchise contact Hardaway Jr. as a solid and reliable shooting option to space the floor for the team’s two future Hall of Fame inductees.
Nikola Jokic Mentions Luka Doncic During Statement on Viral Moment
Somehow, someway, Nikola Jokic continues to hit the most insane buzzer-beating shots this season.
On Friday night against the Utah Jazz, he did it again.
To end the second quarter against Utah, Jokic put up a one-handed heave from behind half-court. It was a moment no one could believe happened, even though he’s already had a similar moment this season.
After the game, Jokic spoke about the insane circus shot, which he obviously spoke about nonchalantly.
“It’s just a shot,” Jokic said. “When you make it, you guys make a big story, that’s why. I do it just for you guys… I’m just trying to score in that situation. Zero. I don’t care.”
While many may think Jokic is very accurate at his half-court shots, he doesn’t seem to think so.
“I mean, I don’t know if it’s accuracy, I missed 30 and I made two, so. That’s a better percentage than a lot of people,” Jokic said.
Unexpectedly, Jokic then brought Luka Doncic into the conversation, claiming that Luka is also good at making the same circus shots.
“Luka’s pretty good at that, so, I don’t know, maybe it’s just… Is it a Vulcan thing? Probably. Let’s take that, it’s a Vulcan thing,” Jokic said.
With Luka Doncic on the Los Angeles Lakers, it feels like the dream of he and Jokic playing together on the same NBA team is fleeting. For now, fans can just enjoy when the two icons play against each other.
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