The streets of Katowice, Poland, were buzzing on August 27, 2025. Just hours before EuroBasket tipped off, luxury vehicles were spotted pulling up near one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants. Out stepped some of basketball’s most recognizable power players, and at the center of it all was Luka Doncic, Slovenia’s national icon and the new face of the Los Angeles Lakers.

On the eve of Slovenia’s EuroBasket opener against Poland, Doncic was expected to be locked in on his national team duties. Instead, he was also welcoming a high-profile delegation from Los Angeles, in what appeared to be a carefully coordinated private gathering. What exactly unfolded at that dinner in Katowice is still shrouded in secrecy, but its significance was immediately clear.

According to a report by Svet24, Doncic, alongside Slovenian Basketball Federation president Matej Erjavec St. Jean and his agent, greeted a special group from the City of Angels. Leading the pack was Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager and Kobe Bryant’s long-time confidant. The Lakers’ presence in Katowice wasn’t a routine visit; it was a statement of intent.

The real surprise, however, was Jeanie Buss. The Lakers’ governor was also spotted at the dinner, pictures confirming her presence and sparking conversation about just how far the Lakers are willing to go to make Doncic feel like the centerpiece of their future. With both Buss and Pelinka flying across the Atlantic, the message was loud and clear: this was more than a symbolic gesture.

So why did they come? Simply put, to support their superstar on a stage that has always meant the world to him. “I mean, it means a lot. It’s a long flight. I think it’s like 11-12 hours, so it means a lot, you know, for them just to be here to support me. We had a good lunch today, so it was great to see them,” Doncic said during Slovenia’s press conference.

The timing of the meeting couldn’t have been more symbolic. Doncic had only recently signed his three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers on August 2, 2025, locking him in as the franchise’s cornerstone through 2028. Just weeks later, here were Buss and Pelinka, flying across the globe to show up in Katowice, on the day of Doncic’s press conference.

Pelinka himself admitted that seeing Luka’s progress in person was part of the motivation. “He’s in great shape, really committed to working hard this summer,” Pelinka told reporters. “And to be able to watch that in person was worth flying over the ocean to be with him.”

Luka, who reportedly shed nearly 14 kilograms this offseason, downplayed the transformation but acknowledged its benefits. “Honestly, nothing different. Just probably less tired, a little bit quicker. Nothing specific. At the end of the day, I want to win games and help my team achieve more.”

Luka’s EuroBasket Connection

For Doncic, EuroBasket isn’t just another international competition. It’s where he announced himself to the world back in 2017, helping Slovenia capture their first-ever European title alongside Goran Dragic. At only 18, he averaged 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, sealing his reputation as a generational talent.

By 2022, he returned to the tournament as a bona fide NBA superstar, putting up monster averages of 26 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Yet, Slovenia stumbled in the quarterfinals against Poland, finishing sixth, a disappointment that still lingers. Doncic admitted afterward, “We didn’t get the result we wanted, but I’m proud of how we competed.”

Now in 2025, he’s back, leaner and sharper. Reports note he has shed nearly 14 kilograms, with scouts calling him “more explosive” and in the “best shape of his life.” For Slovenia, and now the Lakers, EuroBasket offers the first glimpse of what this new Luka Doncic can bring. “For me, it’s an easy choice. I always want to represent my country. I always did, no matter what,” Doncic explained.

That commitment is exactly why the Lakers’ top brass came all the way to Poland. By showing up, they weren’t just observing; they were standing behind their franchise player as he chased glory with his homeland. The Lakers’ presence at EuroBasket group-stage games, including Slovenia’s opener against Poland and their clash with France, is no coincidence. This is relationship-building at the highest level. It’s a reminder that for the Lakers, Luka Doncic isn’t just another superstar in purple and gold; he is the identity of their future.

Rob Pelinka has long been central to forging trust with Doncic’s camp. His discreet but bold move to acquire him in the blockbuster February 1, 2025, trade from Dallas, sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Mavericks, was hailed as a masterstroke. Jeanie Buss, meanwhile, was the architect behind the secrecy of that deal, drawing on lessons from the Pau Gasol trade in 2008 and the vetoed Chris Paul trade in 2011.

For Buss to personally fly to Poland alongside Pelinka speaks volumes. It’s an effort to cement the Lakers as not just Doncic’s employer, but as his long-term basketball family.

Details of the Katowice dinner remain under wraps, but the why is no longer in question. This wasn’t about contracts; Luka’s deal is already sealed, but about reassurance. The Lakers want Doncic to know they value his passion for Slovenia just as much as his NBA success.

By appearing in Katowice, the Lakers also send a signal to fans and media: Luka Doncic’s era in Los Angeles isn’t just about basketball; it’s about global presence, cultural connection, and mutual respect.

Slovenia’s campaign at EuroBasket 2025 begins with a daunting Group D that includes Poland and France. The Lakers’ leadership being present at these games shows confidence in Doncic’s ability to shine on both international and NBA stages. For the Lakers, it’s also a scouting trip of sorts; they get to see firsthand how Doncic leads, motivates, and carries a nation.

More importantly, it demonstrates a shift in the Lakers’ philosophy. The LeBron James era may be winding down, but in Luka Doncic, the Lakers have not only found their next superstar but are actively building their entire identity around him.

So here’s the question: Do you think the Lakers’ bold move of flying Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka to EuroBasket will strengthen Luka Doncic’s bond with the franchise, or is it just a symbolic gesture with little real impact?