Slovenian basketball player Luka Dončić expressed confidence that the revamped roster of the "Los Angeles Lakers" has every chance to compete for top spots in the NBA regular season and playoffs. Despite the departure of the legendary LeBron James, the forward feels no regret about the personnel changes and is ready for a new chapter in his career with the California club.

New Team Core

According to Dončić himself, in the 2026/2027 season, the main leaders of the "Lakers" will be him and Austin Reaves. The club's management has already signed a new agreement with Reaves, solidifying his status as a key figure in the offense. Dončić noted that he is satisfied with the current roster and eagerly awaits the start of the next season.

"I think we really have a good team today. I am very happy to start the next season," the Slovenian stated in response to journalists' questions about the upcoming roster changes.

Active Offseason and New Contracts

The "Lakers" had one of the most active offseasons among all 30 teams in the league. After signing a four-year contract with Austin Reaves for a maximum sum of $180 million, the club continued to strengthen itself to create a completely new team structure.

In Los Angeles, the frontcourt issue was also resolved by acquiring Walker Kessler from the "Utah Jazz". The center signed a four-year deal worth a total of $130 million. Additionally, the club expanded its roster with the following players:

  • Quentin Grimes (4 years, $60 million);
  • Sandro Mamukelashvili (4 years, $52 million);
  • Collin Sexton (2 years, $19.2 million).

Farewell to the Old Guard

In the new season, fans will not see players such as LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Jackson Hayes in the "Lakers" lineup. The club chose a strategy of full rotation to give new leaders a chance.

For Luka Dončić, this move holds special significance. In the previous season, the Slovenian faced health issues, specifically a hamstring injury, which prevented him from helping the team reach the playoffs. Now, with a refreshed environment and full health, he intends to return the "Lakers" to the ranks of the top contenders for the title.