Doncic is the leader of the continent, and the Lakers face the intersection of the dynasty: Is it a quest now or a plan for the future?

The final whistle broke through the sky of the European Championship, and Slovenia's No. 77, Luka Doncic, slowly left the field with his tired body. His back, the battle robe soaked in sweat, all told the hardships of this fierce battle. After 37 minutes of fierce battle and 28 points of hard work, it still failed to win a victory. However, after turning around, the young leader left the word "pride" on social media and took a photo with his national teammates, which instantly turned this regret into a praise for the strength of the team.

The whole world can feel his pride. He was like a lone hero who almost took the team to the brink of the peak of European basketball with his own strength, and was in a stalemate with the powerful German team until the last moment. He is not only a star on the court, but also the soul pillar of the team.

At this moment, far away from Los Angeles, the Lakers' management teams looked solemn, and the coffee in their hands seemed to have lost its warmth.

Doncic not only embarked on the journey of the national team this summer, but also seemed to present a shocking "answer" to the whole world. The failure of the first round of the playoffs last season made him criticized, with accusations such as slack defense, overweight and emotional instability overwhelmingly. But Doncic did not choose to escape, but instead started the road to self-salvation in a decisive way.

Throughout the offseason, he devoted himself to extreme diet control and high-intensity training. When he appeared in the public eye again and successfully signed a three-year, 165 million max contract extension with the Lakers, people were surprised to find that Doncic had completed a gorgeous transformation. He lost weight successfully, his muscle lines became tighter, and his whole body was rejuvenated with unprecedented vitality. The stage of the European Championships has become an excellent battlefield for him to prove himself. He averaged an astonishing score of 34.7 points per game, with a two-point shooting percentage of up to 62%, and his breakthrough was as sharp as lightning, and his confrontation was as tough as a rock. He even made frequent steals on the defensive end, making the opponent unable to defend. Doncic, who was once teased as a "floor flow", has evolved into a superstar that perfectly integrates speed, power and wisdom.

He galloped across the court, easily breaking through the double team, attracting the opponent's entire defensive formation, and being able to pass the ball calmly at critical moments. Faced with such a comprehensive and powerful Doncic, the whole world is thinking about the same question: How should we limit him?

The Lakers have a particularly deep feeling about this issue.

According to internal information from the league, Doncic's outstanding performance in the European arena completely reversed the ideas of the Lakers' senior executives for the team's future planning. Previously, the Lakers adhered to a conservative strategy, tended to short-term contracts, focused on maintaining flexibility in salary space, and focused on the long-term layout of the 2025-26 season. However, Doncic used his strength to send a strong signal to the team: "Give me a capable helper, and I will definitely lead the team to win in the present."

So, the Lakers' strategy took a 180-degree turn.

They are no longer obsessed with the future, but are determined to "take advantage of the current championship at all costs." The most urgent task is to upgrade the wing lineup and find top 3D players. At this time, a name that had been put on hold - Andrew Wiggins re-entered the Lakers' vision.

Wigkins' contract is extended to 2027. He has top physical qualities and balanced performance on both offense and defense. He is undoubtedly an extremely suitable partner around Doncic. Although the Lakers did not actively pursue the situation due to chip factors before, the situation has changed suddenly. As long as the trading conditions are appropriate, Wiggins has become the primary target on the list of Lakers General Manager Pelinka's recruitment.

However, the transaction journey is not smooth. The most attractive assets in the Lakers' hands are nothing more than the first-round picks in 2031 or 2032, and some expiring contracts. Can such bargaining chips impress the Golden State Warriors? Even if the deal is reached, how should the Lakers' lineup be properly allocated after Wiggins joins? Should he join hands with Hachimura Shizuo to form a forward partner, or should he directly replace Hachimura Shizuo? Can new players Ayton and Smart successfully integrate into the team's tactical system?

These many questions are currently unresolved.

The only thing that is certain is that Doncic, 26, is at the peak of his career. The Lakers are currently standing at a critical crossroads - are they continuing to play steadily and make careful arrangements for the future? Or do you want to take a gamble and seize the opportunity to win the championship?

Doncic announced to the entire league with his transformation in a summer and his amazing performance at the European Championship that his era is coming.

And the Lakers must make a decision as soon as possible to decide whether to take the train to the dynasty.

Dear readers, do you think the Lakers should bet on the present or be patient and stick to the future? Welcome to speak freely in the comment section and share your unique insights.