Luka Dončić's efforts to help sell prospective targets on the Los Angeles Lakers has eased some of the fears about the five-time All-Star's future in Southern California, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Dončić helped secure commitments from Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts.

Smart, however, was someone that the Lakers needed to pitch to come to LA. And to do that, the team turned to Luka Dončić. The new face of the franchise played a big role in recruiting the former Defensive Player of the Year, something originally reported by Shams Charania of ESPN on Sunday afternoon.