After a shocking blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year, Luka Dončić will now be ready for his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The mercurial guard, once looked at as the cornerstone of the Mavericks, will now be the future of the Purple and Gold. The Slovenian made headlines in the offseason for his stunning physical transformation, which he took for a test drive in the marquee EuroBasket 2025.
It’s A Start for Me’ — Luka Dončić Ready for His First Full Season As A Laker
Speaking to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Luka Dončić was candid when asked about being ready for the 2025-26 NBA season. “This feels like a start for me,” he said.
“I’m way comfortable. Especially going to training camp, you know, having practice with the guys — like I said, it’s a start for me. But I will feel way more comfortable now.”
“He just looked comfortable,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said. “His focus was on basketball instead of something else being in the back of his mind. He’s less burdened; he’s got clarity. …He knows where he wants to be. He knows where he is now.”
The guard inked a three-year, $165M extension with the Lakers, indicating his intention to remain with the franchise.
LA loves Luka 💜 pic.twitter.com/oGduEkLXw4
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 3, 2025
In his 28 games for the Lakers this past season, the playmaker averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. Overall, he played 50 games for the season, shooting 45.0% from the field and 36.8% from the 3-point line.
Dončić was shipped to the Lakers after the Mavericks looked for a win-now mode by trading for Anthony Davis. However, injuries to the dominant big man and Kyrie Irving, along with their role players, dented their campaign.
The Lakers, led by Dončić and LeBron James, advanced to the first round of the playoffs but were eliminated in a tough exit by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This time around, the prolific guard and James will hope that they can build on their impressive chemistry from last season and win a title in the Dončić-James era.
For Dončić, the upcoming season has already been dubbed a revenge tour after Dallas traded him this year. With a point to prove and a fitter frame, the five-time NBA All-Star will hope that he can prove critics wrong by leading the Lakers to their 18th NBA championship. Only time will tell if he and LA have enough firepower to overcome a stacked West to win the championship.
