Aug 2, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) talks with team co-owner Jeanie Buss following a press conference announcing the signing of a 3-year, $165 million contract extension at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers' Jeanie Buss Reveals She Noticed Different Luka Doncic During EuroBasket Trip

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The biggest priority for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason was to lock up Luka Doncic with a contract extension. He signed a three-year deal extension with the Lakers this summer.

Doncic went to EuroBasket and performed very well during the tournament. The Lakers were very supportive of Doncic and even had one of their coaches on Team Slovenia.

Team governor Jeanie Buss was one of the people who was supportive of Doncic playing in that tournament. She believes she sees a big difference in Doncic this summer.

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Jeanie Buss Says She Sees Something Different in Lakers Guard Luka Doncic

In an article written by Dan Woike of The Athletic, Buss notes that Doncic seems different now that he's firmly settled in Los Angeles.

“He just looked comfortable. His focus was on basketball instead of something else being in the back of mind. He’s less burdened; he’s got clarity. …He knows where he wants to be. He knows where he is now.”

The Lakers are now going to build the team around Doncic for the next decade, and they started doing that this summer by asking for his input on who they should bring in during free agency.

Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA, especially on the offensive end of the court. The hope is that now that he's in great shape, he can play better on the defensive end of the court.

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The Lakers Are Relying on Luka Doncic to Be An MVP-Level Player

This team is still built around Doncic and LeBron James. They will go as far as those two players take them, but Doncic is the key to everything. He has to be better on the perimeter on defense.

If he isn't a turnstile and he plays his normal offensive game, then the Lakers might be the second-best team in the Western Conference this season. Only Oklahoma City is definitely better.

Buss is hoping that what she has seen from Doncic since he signed his deal will translate to the court during the regular season.

After he was traded to the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.