The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make a big splashy move this offseason, and it feels like they are already winning it. The single biggest addition they can make is a healthy and focused Luka Doncic. And judging by his recent pictures, Luka is ready to lead the Lakers in the 2025-26 season. LA can thank Slovenia for it. Every time Luka plays with the Slovenian national team, he comes back better and more focused.
The Lakers Might Win the Offseason Without Making a Big Move
While many people around the league expected the Lakers to have a busy offseason, it seems like the biggest move they could make didn’t depend on them. Luka Doncic will play at EuroBasket this summer, and looking at his recent pictures, he looks in great shape.
The last time Luka played with the Slovenian team at a major event, he came back and had an MVP-type season. In 2023, Luka was part of the Slovenian team at the FIBA World Cup. While they finished 7th, Luka came back and had his best season ever.
During the 2023-24 season, Luka posted averages of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 48.7% from the floor and 38.2% from three-point range. The Dallas Mavericks made the Finals that season with Luka leading the way. For the season, he finished third in MVP voting, his highest to date.
The Lakers Have to Do Their Homework
One thing is certain: Luka will come back more focused from playing with the Slovenian national team. Hopefully, he comes back healthy. But, the Lakers still have plenty of work to do. First and foremost, they need to sign Doncic to an extension, which he is eligible to sign on August 2nd. Lakers fans might be a bit impatient, but the extension probably will not get done until September, when Luka comes back from EuroBasket. When he plays with the national team, he puts everything else aside.
Once Doncic puts pen to paper, the Lakers need to surround him with players who fit his playing style. While he had an MVP-type season in 2023-24, the Mavs took off after the trade deadline. Dallas recognized his skillset and got him players like Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington. They made the difference in the playoffs.
So far, the Lakers have added Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton. The latter can be a good pick-and-roll partner with Luka if he puts in effort. Hopefully, they can find a few more pieces that will let him thrive. The Lakers still have time this offseason, and then at the trade deadline to fill up the roster.
Luka On a Personal Mission
The good news for the Lakers is that it seems like Luka has taken everything that happened last season personally. He has always had a killer instinct and a competitive spirit. After all, he is part of the Jordan brand, and we know how competitive Michael Jordan was.
With the Dallas Mavericks landing the first pick and looking like a formidable team, this might be the time for Luka to prove Nico Harrison wrong. The Lakers will be the beneficiary of that, as motivated Luka is still one of the top five players in the league.
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