Luka Doncic arrived in Los Angeles with questions chasing him like exhaust. Conditioning, fit, chemistry, influence, and whatnot! But numbers have a way of quieting noise. Last postseason, he averaged 30.2 points and 7.8 assists, logging 900 minutes, and became only the second Laker after Kobe Bryant to post back-to-back 35+ point, 5+ rebound, 5+ assist, 5+ three games. That’s the headline. But beyond the numbers, Doncic’s presence is redefining the Lakers’ roster and rotations, especially after his post-summer transformation. The bigger question for L.A. now isn’t whether Luka can lead. It’s who joins him every night.
Jovan Buha cut to the chase, because according to him, the starters should be obvious. He listed three facts. Luka, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton are locks. They are the best defending frontcourt trio the Lakers can field. That means the final two spots must be backcourt defenders. Buha ran through candidates: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Jared Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent.
He landed on a narrower choice with Austin, Rui, and Marcus, then pushed. To him, Austin has earned the third-best-player label. Marcus offers point-of-attack defense. Rui offers four-man flexibility. Buha’s call? “So I see the starting group as Marcus Smart, Austin Reeves, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and DeAndre Ayton with Marcus taking the best one through three score, Austin guarding the secondary backcourt guys, LeBron guarding the secondary frontcourt guys, Luka hiding on non-threats, and then DeAndre Ayton defending centers,” he said.
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It is blunt. It is also practical. Buha argued Smart can chase elite wings and switch up to threes. Reaves handles secondary ball pressure. LeBron and Luka free up mismatches. Ayton anchors the paint. That lineup is built to survive playoff matchups and hide mismatch nights. Fans will grumble, as the coaches will nod. But the season’s narrative pivots on one man’s reset. Luka Doncic spoke about that reset recently.
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“This,” Doncic takes a breath and continues, “feels like a start for me,” he told The Athletic. The line landed because it promised clarity. It promised a clean page. And his summer performance only backed the talk. At EuroBasket 2025, Luka was the tournament’s scoring engine. He averaged 34.7 points in the tournament, showing that his European domination translated into readiness for NBA season intensity. The body language was louder. Observers saw a leaner, sharper athlete. That change didn’t go unnoticed in the Lakers‘ front office.
Jeanie Buss said he looked comfortable and less burdened. Rob Pelinka called him “an illusionist,” the sort of compliment that points to playmaking so subtle it becomes magic. Those endorsements from the top matter. They also change roster construction. The summer remade him physically and mentally. The upgrade is evident.
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Can Luka Doncic really dominate in LA?
More than 30 pounds lost this offseason, faster bursts to the basket, stronger finishes through contact, all while leading Slovenia to an EuroBasket quarterfinal. Mentally, Doncic is entering a fresh chapter with the Lakers, free from last season’s injuries and trade turmoil. He’s now on a three-year, $165 million extension, signaling long-term commitment. His attack profile creates new roles.
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Deandre Ayton becomes a roll-and-lob engine. Austin Reaves becomes the wing who hunts pockets and spaces. Marcus Smart is the defensive glue who can bother primary ball-handlers. Rui Hachimura becomes a high-quality sixth man who can punish second units. Each piece fits a specific Luka-led puzzle.
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There is also an undercurrent of politics. Some in Dallas felt Luka’s transformation was overdue. Others called it a revenge tour. None of that matters if the Lakers win. Still, the subplot sells tickets and headlines, because, of course. Luka signing his extension and owning the moment in LA shifted the leverage. And just like that, his voice carries in trades and in recruitment.
On-court metrics matter too, though. Last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists on 45.0% shooting in his truncated run. His EuroBasket surge upped the volume and the confidence. That combo makes the Lakers bolder. It also forces them to commit to lineups that maximize Luka’s shot creation and defensive partners who can cover the wing burden.
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From summer workouts in Europe to new rotations in LA, Luka’s imprint is everywhere. What remains to be seen is how this transformation manifests in the regular and postseason. Can Luka’s European dominance translate seamlessly to NBA competition? Will Reaves and Smart thrive in their starting roles? How quickly will Ayton and Hayes leverage Luka’s court vision?
The answers will reveal as training camp progresses, but the Lakers’ new chapter begins and ends with Luka Doncic. And believe it or not, this is only the beginning.