Luka Doncic’s inaugural season with the Los Angeles Lakers concluded much sooner than many anticipated. The shocking midseason trade that brought the five-time All-Star from the Dallas Mavericks, in exchange for Anthony Davis, was intended to rejuvenate the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
The Lakers appeared to be tending in the right direction, finishing the regular season as the Western Conference’s third seed, with a 50-32 record. Doncic impressed, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games. However, the team struggled to find cohesion in the playoffs, and Doncic’s defensive shortcomings were notably exploited in the first round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the wake of the Lakers’ early playoff exit, a new report revealed Doncic’s plans in the offseason. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Doncic has decided to play for Slovenia at EuroBasket.
“He will spend the summer playing for the Slovenian men’s national basketball team at EuroBasket, sources said,” McMenamin reported. “He’ll be accompanied by members of his ‘body team’ — Slovenian national team strength coach Anze Macek and physiotherapist Javier Barrio Calvo — throughout the offseason.”
This decision carries significant implications. Doncic’s conditioning has been a point of concern, both during his tenure with the Mavericks and his brief stint with the Lakers. Critics have highlighted his fitness levels as a factor in his defensive lapses and overall performance. By committing to international play and maintaining his training regimen, Doncic appears to be addressing these concerns head-on.
Doncic’s future with the Lakers remains a topic of discussion. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million contract extension starting Aug. 2. While LeBron James has expressed support for Doncic, he emphasized that the decision to stay in Los Angeles rests solely with the star guard.
