By Matthew Couden

Copyright newsweek

After a disappointing playoff exit months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward to an improved season led by star players Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Luka is entering his first full season with the team, following the blockbuster trade in which the Lakers sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, among others.

With Luka, the Lakers entered the Western Conference Playoffs as a No. 3 seed, only to lose to a more cohesive team, the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves, in the first round.

However, some new rosters take time to gel, and with Luka settling in as the main star in Los Angeles, this season could feature another edition of showtime for the Lakers amid a successful run towards the NBA Finals.

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It’s early October, and many NBA teams are back in training camp. The preseason officially began on Thursday, as the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi.

Other teams are preparing for their first preseason games. That includes the Lakers, who have a game on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with the media during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 29, 2025, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

It’s unclear how much time LeBron, Luka, or other starters will get in that preseason game against Phoenix. In some situations, teams might play those players briefly and then rest them to prevent injuries, so it would be surprising to see the starters playing heavy minutes.

Ahead of the matchup, Luka talked to the media about his experience after three days of training camp, and he summed it up pretty interestingly.

“Fun. Excitement. Hard,” he told reporters, suggesting that the grueling nature of practices is bringing a good vibe with it for the season ahead.

Luka Doncic asked by @ECreates88 to sum up the first three days of training camp in three words: “Fun. Excitement. Hard.” pic.twitter.com/jMUt1Bqo8O— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 2, 2025

Along with LeBron and Luka, the Lakers have Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Rui Hachimura among their key players returning for another run. In addition to those prominent roster members, the Lakers added new players, including big man Deandre Ayton, guard Marcus Smart, and forward Jake LaRavia.

Upon joining the Lakers last season, Luka averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in his 28 games played. Los Angeles is hoping to get more of the same, and based on Luka’s offseason, he’s coming in healthy and ready to go.

Before training camp, he was already getting time on the basketball court this offseason, participating with his national team, Slovenia, in the EuroBasket Tournament. In his final game, a losing effort to Germany, Luka showed his elite-level skills, scoring 39 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and recording seven assists.

“I had a great summer. Right after the season started, my practice started, and my workouts. Coming back here to sign the extension, and [then] having to go with the national team. Now I’m here. It all starts again with fresh minds, so I’m very excited,” Luka said on Lakers media day.

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