Luka Doncic and the Lakers: A New Beginning with Championship Ambitions
El Segundo, California – Luka Doncic, visibly transformed physically, attributes his change to a “new beginning” mentality this summer. After signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic expressed his desire to emulate the franchise’s legends: to win championships.The extension includes a player option for the final year, ensuring Doncic’s presence in Los Angeles until at least 2028. The first half of Doncic’s season with the Lakers, after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks in February, ended with an elimination in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team’s changes since that defeat were evident on Saturday. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, both recruited by Doncic after being acquired from Portland and Washington, respectively, were present at the training facilities for the event. Adou Thiero, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber also attended. The group posed for a photograph with Doncic in the center, holding his golden number 77 uniform, and Lakers coach JJ Redick and President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka on either side. The absence of LeBron James, the other Lakers superstar, was notable. James posted videos of himself on a golf course on his Instagram account on Saturday morning, enjoying his offseason hobby, while the Lakers training camp is almost two months away. James’ decision at the end of June to exercise the option of the last year of his contract with Los Angeles for $52.6 million preceded Doncic’s extension, and since then there has been some uncertainty surrounding James. James’ agent and Klutch Sports CEO, Rich Paul, said at the time: “We understand the difficulty of winning now while preparing for the future. We want to assess what is best for LeBron at this stage of his life and career.” Pelinka, speaking with reporters on Saturday for the first time since James’ decision, presented a continued functional partnership between the franchise and the 2020 Finals MVP.“We have what it takes to compete for the championship,” Doncic said in a press conference on Saturday. “I will try to win every game no matter what, and we have great new players on the team, so you know, we’re going for it.”
Luka Doncic
When Pelinka was asked if he believes James, who only has a contract through 2025-26 for his 23rd season, will end his career in Los Angeles, he responded:“All the interactions we’ve had with LeBron and his team, Rich in particular, have been positive and supportive,” Pelinka said. “The dialogue with [Paul] has been open and constant.”
Rob Pelinka
“I think the most important thing we have to do is respect his decision and that of his family regarding how long he is going to play. We want to respect his ability to set his own schedule. I think that’s really important. But, if he had the opportunity to retire as a Laker, that would be great”.
Rob Pelinka
The press conference on Saturday served as the unofficial start of the upcoming season and had far-reaching implications for a Lakers team at a unique moment in their franchise’s history, as they await the finalization of the $10 billion sale from the Buss family to Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter. From Doncic’s favorite Balkan music playing on the training facility speakers to a pop-up photo gallery installation with snapshots of his career welcoming press conference attendees, the Lakers made it clear that the team’s present and future priority is their $165 million star. “Six months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Luka Doncic through a trade in which he came to our franchise,” Pelinka said. “Today, Luka Doncic chose the Los Angeles Lakers, and that is a monumental moment in Lakers history. And we couldn’t be more grateful for choosing this partnership. The best young basketball player in the universe joins for the long-term future, the best sports franchise in the world.”“We like the improvements we were able to make to the roster,” Pelinka said. “But we are by no means going to be satisfied. I think every year we are in an infinite cycle to try to improve this team and win championships, and we will remain committed to that work.”
Rob Pelinka
