Why Lakers Can Expect Best Version of Luka Dončić This Season

Dončić looked much different during his introductory press conference last season when the Lakers acquired him from the Dallas Mavericks before the trade deadline.

Then, Dončić still expressed feeling shock over the Mavericks’ trading him. Why wouldn’t he? Dončić led the franchise to an NBA Finals and four playoff appearances. He made five All-NBA first teams. He seemingly would become the franchise’s next generational talent, following Dirk Nowitzki. It seemed bad enough that the Mavericks discounted those factors. They made matters worse by criticizing Dončić’s conditioning privately amid their attempts to justify the trade.

Dončić still embraced joining the Lakers. He wanted to contribute to the franchise’s rich championship history. He looked forward to James’ partnership and mentorship. He wanted to make his late idol, Kobe Bryant, proud.

No wonder Dončić said he also felt pressure to make an impact immediately. He needed more time, though. He needed time to overcome a left calf injury. He needed time to establish chemistry with James. He needed time to determine how to display his offensive brilliance without compromising team play. He needed time to improve his conditioning. The fit proved good enough for the Lakers to finish with the No. 3 seed. The fit still appeared awkward enough, however, for the Lakers to lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round.

“Whatever emotions he was going through post-trade, it had an effect on him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

So shortly after the Lakers’ season ended, Redick called on his players to arrive next season in “championship shape.” Redick referred to his entire team. But Redick also directed that message to Dončić. That concern may not justify the Mavericks’ trading a generational talent and Maxi Kleber for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. But even Dončić conceded some validity to the claims and said he would use it as motivation.

Luka Dončić 2024-25 stats

Hence, Dončić wasted little time in addressing those weaknesses. He enhanced his diet and training and detailed the regimen extensively in a Men’s Health profile. He looked noticeably slimmer and spry when he led the Slovenian national team during EuroBasket with 34.5 points per game while shooting 62.1% from the field with 8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.

“I would just say a little less tired and a little quicker,” Dončić said about his EuroBasket performance. “Obvioiusly in Europe, there is a 40-minute game. The NBA is 48. We play a lot of games. So I think fatigue is the biggest thing for me right now.”

The Lakers observed another big thing at EuroBasket. After seeing Dončić operate in a stoic manner and defer to James on commanding the locker room, Lakers officials became encouraged with how increasingly vocal Dončić appeared with his Slovenian teammates during practices, on the court and in the huddles.

“That's a great leadership quality when people feel like they really know your heart, what you think and your beliefs,” Pelinka said. “The more time we spent with Luka, the more genuine and impactful he is. So that was something that really developed with our touch points over the offseason.”

While the Lakers plan to handle the 40-year-old James with care during training camp, they will lean on Dončić’s presence significantly in practices and in four preseason games. They already have given him the keys to run their offense. They also want to see how well he can ensure the Lakers play at a quicker pace and with more ball movement. They plan to evaluate to what extent Dončić can become a reliable team defender instead of a liability.

“When you get to a new team in the middle of the season, it’s kind of hard to get everything together,” Dončić said. “Preseason is going to help me know a lot with leadership and to get to know the guys and through the practices.”

Dončić considers himself, James and Austin Reaves as “the leaders of this group.” But they also only played a combined 21 games together. Dončić played an influential role in the Lakers’ adding a strong pick-and-roll partner (Deandre Ayton) and a respected point guard and defender (Marcus Smart). But Dončic may need even more time to figure out that puzzle.

“I expect the best version of Luka,” Redick said, “and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out on a daily basis.”

The Lakers granted Redick a contract extension after only one season, partly because of their belief that he can bring the best out of Dončic. Pelinka announced that news last week, just over a month after Dončic signed a three-year, $165 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2027-28 season.

“The stability is amazing,” Dončic said. “It was great to work with JJ. Hopefully we can work through it again at the end of my career. I just love him as my coach. He would tell you anything. He will tell you if you did something wrong, or if you did something good. So just approach the game with him, it’s unbelievable. So I’m very excited that he's my coach.”

Safe to say the Lakers feel very excited to have Dončic as their franchise player for the 2025-26 season and beyond. He expressed uncertainty about whether this marks the best he has ever felt entering a season. Regardless, Dončic’s giddiness at media day foreshadows more joyful times ahead.

“I’m very ready,” Dončic said. “This season should be fun for us.”