EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A slimmed-down Luka Doncic credited a “fresh-start” mindset for his bodily transformation this summer time.
And after signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic mentioned he is able to begin his pursuit of what so many franchise greats have performed in L.A. earlier than him: profitable championships.
“We now have what we have to compete for the championship,” Doncic mentioned at a information convention Saturday. “I am going to attempt to win each sport it doesn’t matter what, and we acquired some new nice guys on the crew, so you understand we’ll go for it.”
The extension features a participant possibility within the closing yr, conserving the 26-year-old Doncic in L.A. till at the least 2028.
Doncic’s first half-season with the Lakers after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks in February ended with a first-round playoff exit in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Past his improved physique, the crew’s adjustments since that loss have been on show Saturday. Waiver-wire signees Deandre Ayton and Marcus Sensible — each recruited by Doncic after being purchased out in Portland and Washington, respectively — have been current on the observe facility for the occasion. Second-round choose Adou Thiero, plus Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, have been there, too.
The group posed for {a photograph} with Doncic within the center holding up his gold No. 77 uniform and Lakers coach JJ Redick and president of basketball operations and common supervisor Rob Pelinka bookending both aspect. (Ahead Jarred Vanderbilt was additionally current, however not for the photograph.)
Which made the absence of the Lakers’ different celebrity, LeBron James, stand out.
The 40-year-old James posted movies of himself on the golf course to his Instagram account Saturday morning, participating in his offseason passion with coaching camp for the Lakers nonetheless practically two months away. James’ determination in late June to choose into the ultimate yr of his contract with L.A. for $52.6 million preceded Doncic’s extension, and there is been some thriller surrounding James ever since.
James’ agent and Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul advised ESPN’s Shams Charania on the time of the opt-in alternative: “We perceive the issue in profitable now whereas making ready for the longer term. We do wish to consider what’s finest for LeBron at this stage in his life and profession.” Paul knowledgeable each Pelinka and Doncic’s supervisor, Lara Beth Seager, concerning the contents of the assertion previous to issuing it, sources advised ESPN then.
Talking to reporters Saturday for the primary time since James’ determination, Pelinka introduced a continued useful partnership between the franchise and the 2020 Finals MVP.
“All of the interactions we have had with LeBron and his camp, Wealthy specifically, have been constructive and supportive,” Pelinka mentioned. “The dialogue with [Paul] has been open and fixed.”
Pelinka was additionally requested if he believes that James, who is just underneath contract by 2025-26 for his file twenty third season, will end his profession in L.A.
“I feel the No. 1 factor we now have to do there may be respect he and his household’s determination by way of how lengthy he will play,” Pelinka mentioned. “We wish to respect his skill to give you his timetable on that. I feel that is actually necessary. However, if he had an opportunity to retire a Laker, that may be nice.”
James, who averaged 24.4 factors on 51.3% capturing, 8.2 assists and seven.8 rebounds in 2024-25, will likely be an necessary presence if Doncic’s championship confidence is to be realized. And Pelinka, whereas detailing the additions of Ayton, Sensible and free agent Jake LaRavia, vowed to proceed to look to make the crew higher.
“We just like the upgrades we have been capable of make to the roster,” Pelinka mentioned. “However on no account are we going to be glad. I feel yearly we’re on an infinite cycle to attempt to enhance this crew and win championships, and we’ll keep dedicated to that work.”
As a lot as Saturday’s information served because the unofficial begin to subsequent season, it additionally had far-reaching implications for a Lakers crew in a singular level in its franchise historical past because it awaits the $10 billion sale from the Buss household to Guggenheim Companions CEO Mark Walter to be finalized.
From Doncic’s favourite Balkan music pumping by the observe facility’s audio system to a pop-up photograph gallery set up that includes snapshots of his profession greeting attendees to the information convention once they walked into the health club, the Lakers made it clear that the crew’s current and future precedence is their new $165 million man.
“Six months in the past to the day the Los Angeles Lakers selected Luka Doncic by a commerce the place he got here to our franchise,” Pelinka mentioned. “In the present day, Luka Doncic selected the Los Angeles Lakers, and that could be a monumental second in Lakers historical past. And we couldn’t be extra grateful for you selecting this partnership. One of the best younger basketball participant within the universe joins for the long-term future, the very best sports activities franchise on the globe.”