Luka Doncic just finished his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
The Slovenian star led the squad to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings, but was unable to move it past the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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After a 4-1 loss in the postseason, Doncic’s future is now a topic of discussion among Lakers fans and analysts. Nothing suggests that he’ll leave the Lakers after the 2025-26 season, but the expectations will get higher, especially in his second campaign.
Doncic posted 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 games during his first campaign at Crypto.com Arena.
The goal should be higher next season, as he’ll have more time with his teammates, and probably the type of center he wanted to team up with after landing in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
More than that, Doncic has been urged to make some changes if he wants to go further with the Lakers. On Saturday, former NBA coach Sam Mitchell told reporter Vince Goodwill on SiriusXM NBA Radio that the guard has two options for the 2025-26 season.
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“Either he comes back in shape, like the pro we think he’s going to do,” Mitchell said. “Because he got embarrassed in that series, or he comes back and looks like he looked this year, and everything that people in Dallas said about him is true. To me, Luka’s at a great crossroads, because now, we get to see who he really is as a person and as a professional.”
Doncic is considered the present and future of the Lakers. His medical team was welcomed with open arms by the purple and gold, but this offseason should demonstrate if the joint work can help Doncic get in the best shape of his career.
The Lakers extended their championship window when they traded for the Slovenian, but there’s more work to do to reach their ultimate goal.
Related: Luka Doncic Predicted to Decline Max Deal From Lakers With Bigger Goal in Mind