The 2025-26 season represents arguably the most important year for Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic’s career as he was criticized on his way out from the Dallas Mavericks for being overweight and unserious about defense.
Doncic took those comments to heart, using the entire summer to transform his body and be in the best shape of his life. Doncic showed off what a new-and-improved body can do, dominating play in EuroBasket 2025 and getting Slovenia all the way to the quarterfinals.
Now, Doncic will be counted on to lead the Lakers in his first full season with the team. While he has yet to suit up for preseason, Doncic has been taking part in training camp practices and getting himself ready.
Even though he’s new to the organization, Doncic has started to grow more comfortable in his leadership role. In fact, Luka organized a team event following a recent Lakers practice, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
As I shared on NBA Today, Luka Doncic organized a team bonding event after practice today at the Porsche Driving Experience, sources told ESPN. Each Lakers player will get their choice of three different cars to test out on the tracks.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 7, 2025
Doncic said he expected to develop as a leader during preseason because he’d finally be back around his teammates, and he made good on his word. While Luka understands that the goal is to win a championship this year, building chemistry and camaraderie off the floor is important.
The 2020 Lakers roster became famous for how tight-knit they were and that level of trust helped them navigate several difficult obstacles. This year’s squad, like the 2020 iteration, has a lot to prove and that common factor should help them on the court.
The purple and gold will go as far as Doncic can take them but the early returns have been beyond positive. Doncic looked like his old self in EuroBasket and if the Lakers get that version of the Slovenian superstar during the regular season, then they have a decent shot of sticking in the contender conversation.
Slovenian teammate credits Luka Doncic for growing as leader
Luka Doncic got his first chance to flex his new leadership muscles as the frontman for Slovenia this past summer. Slovenia was a massive underdog in the tournament, but Doncic managed to drag them to the knockout rounds.
While Doncic dazzled on the floor, one of his Slovenian teammates highlighted his growth as a leader.
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