The Los Angeles Lakers secured their future by trading for Luka Dončić in a stunning move earlier this year. The mercurial guard came to LA while the Dallas Mavericks snapped up Anthony Davis in return.
Dončić now gears up for his first full season with the Lakers after their first-round exit at the hands of Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. Ahead of the new season, the expectations from the mercurial guard are sky-high as he aims for his maiden NBA championship.
Luka Dončić Outlines the Challenges of Being A Leader Ahead of 2025-26 NBA Season
After LeBron James, Dončić will be looked at as the next major voice on and off the hardwood. The five-time NBA All-Star was the team’s leader during his time with the Mavericks, and the new season will see him take on a leadership role with the Purple and Gold.
“I mean, it was probably just something I need to do, especially since I’ve seen a lot of basketball now,” Dončić told The Athletic.
“So I’ve been through a lot so it was kind of something like, I need to do this to help, to help others. (Being a leader), sometimes it’s comfortable, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s great to be a leader and sometimes you have to say things that you don’t want to, but that’s part of being a leader.”
Earlier, the floor general took over leadership duties for his national team. Slovenia made the quarterfinals of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals, and Dončić’s teammates praised his leadership style.
“Every year, he’s more vocal and even more patient with the players because he’s coming from a different level than we are,” Edo Murić said. “And sometimes (the mistakes), it’s not acceptable for him. Maybe he used to expect too much from us because he comes from another world that we come from, you know? But now as he’s maturing as he’s older, he gets that. And he’s giving us more and more trust.”
On his part, the 26-year-old has been well ahead with his preparation for the new season. Equipped with a leaner and fitter frame, Dončić had some solid game time for Slovenia and appears to be in top shape ahead of the 2025-26 NBA Season.
With James set to suit up alongside him, the Lakers expect to win another title in the LeBron era of Lakers basketball after he led them to one in 2020. Only time will tell if Dončić and James can win a championship together in LA.
