Luka Doncic worked his usual magic last season, carrying the Lakers to wins over the Nuggets, Clippers, Rockets twice, and also beating the Thunder, Pacers, and Knicks. But the playoffs reminded everyone that even a superstar can’t do it all alone—the Lakers managed to score over 100 points in just two of five games against Minnesota, highlighting that the team still has areas to improve if they want to be true contenders. While Luka continues to refine his game, the Lakers have taken steps to support him, bringing in a 25-year-old guard.

Lakers insider Trevor Lane took to X to report, “Lakers announce they have signed guard Tevian Jones. In a related move, the team has waived guard Jarron Cumberland.” Cumberland had just joined the team on an Exhibit 10 deal, which was waived to make space for Jones. While the details of Jones’ contract weren’t shared, it’s expected to be an Exhibit 10 too, meaning he could play with the Lakers’ G League affiliate and earn a bonus if he sticks for 60 days.

Tevian Jones, 25, stands 6’7″ and went undrafted in 2023 after five years of college basketball split between Illinois and Southern Utah. In his final season, he averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and shot 36.2% from beyond the arc. He also spent last season with the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League, posting 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Jones had a short stint with the Pelicans in 2023, where he was signed and waived.

Bringing Jones on board gives the Lakers another wing who can cover Luka Doncic’s position, giving Luka chances to rest and stay fresh. Last February, when Luka arrived in Los Angeles, he was on a minutes restriction after a calf injury on Christmas Day with Dallas, missing the first three games with the Lakers. This move shows the team is being proactive about protecting its star. Furthermore, the Lakers have strengthened their roster with four promising two-way additions to help the core: guards RJ Davis and Augustas Marčiulionis, and forwards Eric Dixon and Arthur Kaluma.

RJ Davis, a 6’0” guard from North Carolina, finished his college career strong, averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 175 games. In his senior season, he started all 37 games, put up 17.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, and earned All-ACC Second Team honors. He also showed he can perform right away, scoring 17 points in the Lakers’ final Summer League game in Las Vegas.

On the frontcourt, Eric Dixon and Arthur Kaluma bring size and scoring. Dixon, 6’8” from Villanova, left as the school’s all-time leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds over 162 games. Kaluma, 6’7”, played at Texas, Kansas State, and Creighton, putting up 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in his college career. Then there’s Augustas Marčiulionis, a 6’4” guard from St. Mary’s, who can create for others with 5.9 assists per game in his senior season and was named WCC Player of the Year. Together, these four players give the Lakers more depth, Luka room to breathe, and the young guys a chance to step up.

Luka’s fresh start with the Lakers

With a huge three-year, $165 million contract agreement with the Lakers, Luka Dončić is confident and ready for the 2025–26 season. With LeBron James’ future in LA still up in the air, the team is clearly building around Luka as their centerpiece. Off the court, his marketability—boosted by Jordan Brand and the Lakers’ global platform—has made him a natural leader, and on the court, he’s ready to take that leadership seriously. Last season, Luka averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over 28 games, showing he can handle pressure, and now he’s ready to fully embrace being the guiding star for the franchise.

Talking about big stages, Luka told The Athletic, “Big stages are, you know, made for, I say, people with big character.” And he’s living that mindset. This offseason wasn’t just about rest—it was about transformation. Luka focused on his body, slimming down and improving agility and speed after Dallas reportedly had concerns over his conditioning when they traded him. The changes in Luka’s game were clear for everyone to see—he’s moving faster, defending sharper, and keeping up effortlessly with the league’s quicker guards. Those improvements even won him a position on the EuroBasket 2025 All-Star team and on the cover of Men’s Health.

But Luka’s growth isn’t just physical. Leading Slovenia at EuroBasket, he stepped up as a true floor general and showed maturity that comes from carrying a team while still performing at an elite level. “I mean, it was probably just something I needed to do. I’ve been through a lot of basketball now. Being a leader—sometimes it’s comfortable, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s great, and sometimes you have to say things you don’t want to. But that’s part of it,” he said. Luka carried Slovenia deep into the tournament, averaging 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, topping scoring and efficiency charts while racking up 243 points in just 233 minutes.

Even with a quarterfinal exit, he proved he can dominate and guide a team, giving Lakers fans every reason to believe this is Luka’s moment to shine in Los Angeles.