Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Lakers’ Luka Doncic Appears to Be Trying to Get on Mark Walter’s Good Side

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 5:30 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have started going all-in for Luka Doncic to be their franchise player. After signing him to an extension, the Lakers started asking him for input on how to build the team around him.

Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA when he is fully healthy. Injury issues have popped up throughout his career, but the Lakers are hoping that won't be the case with Doncic in much better shape.

Los Angeles has a new owner, Mark Walter. Walter will likely pour mo ney into the Lakers to make sure that they are great every year. It seems like Doncic is doing his best to be on his good side.

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Luka Doncic always mentions Mark Walter while discussing his future with the Lakers

As the Hoop Collective points out, Doncic has been very careful to include Walter's name any time he talks about his future with the Lakers.

Walter is a guy who seems committed to doing whatever he can to build around Doncic. Doncic clearly appreciates those efforts to make him as happy as possible.

Doncic has already started having a say in personnel decisions, much to the dismay of LeBron James. Still, that's the right way for the Lakers to operate.

James only has a couple of years left, at the most. Doncic is going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade. He is a very good player who is still extremely young.

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The Lakers are hoping Luka Doncic can lead them to a title

Doncic has already led one franchise to the NBA Finals. He carried the Mavericks to the Finals in 2024, so he has already prove n he can be the best player on a team that makes the Finals.

Los Angeles just needs to surround him with the right kind of players over the next decade or so in order to win a title. Doncic has to have some improvement in his conditioning and his defense, as well.

In early August, Doncic signed a massive three-year, $165 million contract to remain in Los Angeles. He will soon enter his first full season with the purple and gold.