Luka Doncic's desired legacy should give hope to Lakers fans

Doncic joined the Lakers right before last season's trade deadline in a huge deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. He only played 28 games in the regular season but made an instant impact, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. The team finished 50–32 and got the third seed in the West. 

Still, the playoffs didn’t go well. The Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves in just five games, and the same old problems came back — not enough defense at the rim, inconsistent effort on the boards and not enough depth. 

That's why this offseason was so important. Ayton, who averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks last year, gives the team mobility and presence in the paint they’ve been missing. Smart missed most of last season due to injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the toughest defenders in the league and a proven leader. He reportedly signed with the Lakers because of Doncic, which shows how much influence Doncic already has behind the scenes. 

This isn’t just Doncic running the offense — it’s Doncic leading the team. The pieces are all chosen to fit around his style. Ayton’s quickness to the rim gives Doncic space in the pick-and-roll. Smart handles the tougher matchups so Doncic can focus on what he does best. Plus, with LeBron James still on the team, there’s a mix of experience and new energy. 

There are still some uncertainties. Ayton's effort has been questioned before, and Smart has had injury issues lately. Doncic's defense, especially in big moments, is still improving. But there's a different vibe now. Doncic isn’t just reacting — he’s leading the team. He's making decisions, speaking up and setting high expectations for himself. That’s what you want from a superstar. 

When he said he wants to be the one who brings titles back to Los Angeles, it didn’t sound like just a catchy line. It felt genuine. Like a player who knows what this city wants — and is ready to live up to that. 

The path ahead is tough. The Western Conference is loaded, and there’s little room for mistakes. But for the first time in a long time, there's a clear direction in L.A. Doncic isn’t just their best player — he's the leader now. And he's finally saying what Lakers fans have been hoping to hear.