Luka Doncic Has One Goal He Wants to Achieve with the Lakers

Doncic is gearing up for his first full season with the purple and gold.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is gearing up for a brand new 2025-26 NBA season. Having joined the Lakers mid 2024-25 season following a shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic will now embark on his first full season with the purple and gold. Though the Slovenian couldn’t lead the Lakers to their 18th NBA title, and rather had a disappointing end to the campaign. However, he has a clear mindset for the brand new season.

The five-time NBA All-Star has made it clear that he has one single goal. A purpose he wants to fulfill while being with the Lakers- winning a championship. According to a source close to the Lakers, the 26-year-old is completely and fully focused on winning a championship. Doncic has his trust in the front office to continue building a roster that would help them do so. “He stresses every single day that his goal is to win a championship,” a source told ESPN. “He trusts the front office to do their part, and he trusts what they’re building.”

Doncic, following his debut in 2018, spent more than six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. During his stint with them, he led the side to multiple glories, including their third NBA Finals appearance in franchise history in 2024. Despite being one of the key players, he was traded in a blockbuster move in exchange for Anthony Davis, ending his time with the Mavs on a bitter note.

However, following his move, Doncic quickly got himself accustomed to the Lakers’ locker room. Apart from leading the team to multiple wins during LeBron James’ absence, he finished the season with an average of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.

Rob Pelinka Believes Luka Doncic-LeBron James’ Presence Would Aid Strategic Flexibility

Los Angeles Lakers’ General Manager, Rob Pelinka views the presence of Doncic and icon, LeBron James’ as valuable strategic flexibility. He revealed the championship possibilities created by the combination of Doncic and James and addressed the franchise’s expectations.

“In terms of team building, we’ve talked about the importance of having optionality and when I use that word, it’s not to say in the future. I think optionality is also in the now,” Pelinka said.

“Having both Luka as arguably the best player on the planet and LeBron James, who is still in the mix of being one of the great players in our game, even at his age, continues to allow us to think carefully about the value of that optionality.”

“And we see having those two players on our team next year [as] an important moment, and we’ll continue to try to do all we can to deliver this franchise its 18th championship,” President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers added.

Well, it is to be seen if Doncic’s focus and Pelinka’s strategy would help the Lakers win their 18th title or not.

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.

Luka Doncic Has One Goal He Wants to Achieve with the Lakers

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