The Los Angeles Lakers' 2025 offseason has been underwhelmingly quiet, with the two notable exceptions being the addition of Deandre Ayton and the blockbuster extension of Luka Dončić. It has left a lot of time for Laker fans to consider the team's potential ceiling and exactly how far Luka and an aging LeBron James might be able to take them. A question that has gotten a far more favorable answer, as EuroBasket play has given fans a look at the new Luka.
Much was made after the Dallas Mavericks' divorce about Luka not taking things seriously enough and being in poor shape. It stopped one step short of name-calling calling with the Mavericks' intentions frustratingly clear. This was a smear campaign to cover over the fact that you just dumped a player who dragged you to the NBA Finals a season before. Now, it appears that this has served as a further motivation for one of the league's best players.
Doncic Sending Laker Fans a Strong Message with Dominating Summer Performance
In EuroBasket play, Luka ranks first in points per game with 32.4, first in steals with 3.2, and second in assists with 8.4. It has been an incredible summer with the Los Angeles star showing off his improved conditioning and giving Laker fans a hint of what is to come. Now that the star is over the shock of the deal, he is focused on one emotion. Everything about his offseason screams that he is ready to prove what a mistake the Mavericks made.
This is great news for the Lakers, giving the franchise a chance to become a surprise player in the Western Conference. While the Rockets, Thunder, and Nuggets are favored heading into the season, the Lakers have the one thing that none of this trio does: a star duo that is simply capable of willing their team to victory. We've seen both James and Luka put inferior teams on their backs and go on deep playoff runs.
We are just scratching the surface of what the duo can now accomplish together. If LeBron can continue to hold off Father Time just a bit longer, this version of Luka gives the Lakers title hopes. Watching his dominance is a reminder of this and why Los Angeles fans shouldn't give up on the franchise despite last season's frustrating exit.
So much of that was due to a lack of size that they hope to have fixed with the addition of Ayton. While another piece can be blamed on Luka not being at the peak of his powers. If the summer results are any indication, this has changed, and Laker fans cannot wait to see the new version of the franchise star in action.
No question, fans are feeling far better about where this team is heading and what they might be able to accomplish with Luka at the helm. The only missing pieces are one more great season from James and Ayton giving his best effort. If these fall into place, no one in the league is going to want to play the Lakers this season.