EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The new season drew closer on Monday as the Los Angeles Lakers held the annual NBA media day, with returning players and fresh additions discussing offseason work and goals for the year ahead.
A common theme echoed from head coach JJ Redick: being in championship shape.
Redick first stressed the phrase last week in an opening press conference alongside general manager Rob Pelinka, calling it the key objective for this roster heading into training camp. That message carried into media day, with multiple players repeatedly emphasizing it.
A slimmer Luka Dončić was the first to grab the mic. With a smile and laugh, he greeted reporters: “I missed you guys.”
This summer, Dončić said, was about being more in shape than tuning his game, marking perhaps the most important offseason of his career. After a whirlwind midseason trade to Los Angeles—a city he admitted he never thought he’d play in—Dončić acknowledged the adjustment wasn’t easy. But now, he said, he feels in a better place with a fresh start.
Joining the Lakers midway through last season left little time for Dončić and the team to develop chemistry. With training camp and the preseason ahead, he emphasized the importance of using this stretch to build real connections.
“We didn’t have time last season and that’s why preseason is very important to get to know everybody, what everyone likes,” Dončić said. “I’m excited to figure out everybody.”
LeBron James enters his 23rd year in the NBA, a feat no player has achieved, and more importantly, the final year of his contract. He admitted he still doesn’t know when the end of his career will come but added, “it’s sooner rather than later.”
When asked what pushes him to keep going this late in his career, James pointed to his love of the game—and even more so, his love of the process. This summer, he focused heavily on his catch-and-shoot game, working to be more effective off the ball with Dončić and Austin Reaves taking on more of the playmaking duties.
James also voiced excitement about the roster’s offseason additions, noting that Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia bring versatility that the Lakers lacked last season.
Ayton, in particular, showed a fiery side as he spoke about proving himself and having the biggest opportunity of his career with the Lakers. He made clear he welcomes the expectations.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Ayton said.
Smart made it clear that his focus is singular: winning. After two challenging seasons between the Grizzlies and Wizards, he said he’s ready to bring the Boston Celtics version of himself that Redick specifically told him the Lakers wanted. Smart emphasized his willingness to embrace any role.
“I’m here to win, however that looks,” Smart said. “Whether I start or come off the bench, my presence will be felt.”
Reaves also praised the Lakers’ offseason moves, pointing specifically to LaRavia. He said the fourth-year forward is going to have a really good season—saying “really” three times—highlighting his defensive versatility to guard almost all positions.
LaRavia, meanwhile, kept it simple when asked about his approach and fans will have to wait and see when it comes to his game.
“The one thing that I can control every night is how hard I play,” LaRavia said. “And that’s what I do when I go out there. I do what I can to impact winning.”
Not every player was fully ready to go, however. Rookie Adou Thiero revealed he has not yet been cleared for training camp as he continues to rehab a knee injury that has caused lingering swelling.
The Lakers’ first game of the preseason is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. against the Phoenix Suns in the greater Palm Springs area at Acrisure Arena.