Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed as much at Saturday's press conference to announce Luka Doncic's three-year extension worth $165 million. The Lakers will be searching for a new co-star to pair with the superstar point guard. Pelinka hinted as to why the franchise has been prioritizing their financial flexibility.

Luka Dončić's max extension with the Los Angeles Lakers makes him the new front-facing star of the team -- not LeBron James, an aging superstar playing the final years of a future Hall of Fame career. Still, James remains "supportive" of the franchise's move to lock in Dončić at three years and $165 million, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.