Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6504138/2025/07/19/luka-doncic-lakers-recruiting-extension-decision/

While Dončić hasn’t directly addressed his future with the franchise this summer — time he’s spent in Europe putting together an all-time revenge glow-up — his actions behind the scenes crystalize why the Lakers are confident with how things stand.

Dončić, according to league sources, had communicated his desires for a capable rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support. The Lakers responded by filling those needs with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and, soon, Marcus Smart.

In addition to that, league sources said, Dončić has been an active recruiter for the Lakers this summer and helped secure commitments from Ayton and Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts.

The Lakers also posted an interview with Dončić on Saturday (taped during the season) that ended with him saying that he hoped his legacy with the Lakers would leave him known as “the guy that brought championships to the city.”

All of it has the Lakers confident they’re in alignment with Dončić in their plans to build a championship roster.

Dončić has committed to getting into fantastic shape thanks to a strict diet and exercise routine ahead of EuroBasket, and has shaken off most of, if not all, the shock from a trade he never believed was possible.

41 comments

  1. Seems like the Lakers are fully committed to Luka and will build around him.

  6. Luka skinny storyline + LA boost just give him the MVP already he’s gonna win it no matter what

  7. Thank you, Nico. Not only for gifting us Luka on a silver platter, but also leaving him with enough motivation to fix one of two major complaints against him.

  9. He’ll have a couple bad games then people on here will start saying he needed the extra weight to help bully his way to the rim.

    Will be interested to see if there’s an attitude adjustment to go with it, needs less complaining and more effort on defence

  11. I find it funny that after half a year in LA the front office is cow towing to whatever he wants (understandable) but AD has been asking to get an actual center they just trade him.

  13. Sources close to Luka said he made an AllTrails account and a heirloom sourdough starter Pinterest.

    He’s staying guys

  18. So far they’ve added a non-defense, non-rim running center who’s been run out of town by two consecutive teams, and a washed defender who cannot shoot on his last legs, and a replacement level 3-and-D wing while watching a good 3-and-D wing walk out the door.

  20. League Sources are doing a great job getting Luka positive PR after that first round exit.

  21. Bro getting that Ben Simmons offseason PR glaze, but it’s on steroids cause of LA media lmao

  25. I can’t wait to figure out how to watch eurobasket just for a glimpse of the slim slav

  26. If he averages 28/8/8 and the Lakers get 4th seed or better then he’ll be MVP. This is the Luka Revenge tour and it will be the story of the season 

  27. I mean is it that hard to convince people to move to L.A and play for the Lakers?

  29. Too bad Ayton is way more mid range then rim runner. Maybe that will change in LA

  34. There is an irony here, Ayton is not a rim runner and Smart doesn’t fit what Luka plays well with either. I say this as a huge Luka fan, there’s a lot of cope with these signings.

  36. Just curious, is ”
    committed to getting into fantastic shape thanks to a strict diet and exercise routine” in contrast to previous seasons or are we not allowed to acknowledge that?

  37. Completely joking but waiting for the “how much help does he need!?” comments bron has always got lol

    But seriously. Stop giving Luka more help.

    Sincerely, a sad Kings fan

  40. It was never the weight, it’s his nonstop moaning about not getting calls while the opposing team gets an easy transition layup.

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