With EuroBasket 2025 over and training camp approaching, the anticipation is building for Los Angeles Lakers fans as far as watching a new, improved and fitter version of Luka Doncic take the court and do his thing.
Doncic dropped extra weight and got into much better shape earlier this summer, and that allowed him to average 34.7 points a game during EuroBasket 2025. In fact, the Lakers were impressed by Doncic’s improved mobility and even with his defense during the tournament.
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There have been multiple reports that, following his performance in Europe this summer, the Lakers have backed off their desire to possibly punt the next season or two in order to chase after Giannis Antetokounmpo. They’re now reportedly in win-now mode, and they’re willing to add long-term salary for the right player who would put them over the top.
It is something general manager Rob Pelinka seemed to confirm, per ESPN.
“Luka’s play in EuroBasket made it clear to the entire basketball world that he’s on that incredibly short list of ‘best player on the planet’ candidates, if not at the top,” Pelinka said. “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. 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.”
James may only be a Laker for one more season, but it looks like the organization knows it must maximize what is remaining of his tenure with the team.
“If there are smart ways to pour into our championship aspirations for next year, we will execute on those,” Pelinka said. “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.”
Doncic has made it clear that he wants to win at least one NBA championship with the Lakers, and one source said he trusts the franchise to help make that happen.
“He stresses every single day that his goal is to win a championship,” a source close to Doncic told ESPN. “He trusts the front office to do their part, and he trusts what they’re building.”
Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension on Aug. 2, the very first day he was eligible for such an extension. After he was traded to L.A. in early February, there was a bit of anxiety that perhaps he wouldn’t stay with the team long-term, but now, the expectation seems to be that he will be a Laker for the rest of his NBA career.
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The hope is that when it’s all said and done, his resume will be decorated with multiple MVP awards and world championships.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Report: Luka Doncic trusts Lakers to help him win NBA championship