Remember the night of February 1–2, 2025? The NBA world literally stopped. Luka Dončić, Mavericks’ superstar, was traded mid-season to the Lakers in a mind-blowing three-team deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, with the Utah Jazz pulling the strings. Think about it: two reigning All-NBA players swapped teams in the middle of the season—never happened before. Fans were stunned, pundits were buzzing, and the basketball world collectively gasped. And now, after the initial shock, Luka is all in and ready to embrace a fresh start in Los Angeles, stepping into a city defined by legends like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

When Luka Dončić talks about big stages, he knows exactly what he means. “Big stages are, you know, made for, I say, people with big character,” he told The Athletic, reflecting on the fresh start he’s about to have with the Los Angeles Lakers. Returning to Los Angeles to begin training camp next week, Luka sees this as more than just another season—it’s a chance to take his game and leadership to a whole new level. “This feels like a start for me,” he said, signaling that the chapter that began with his trade from Dallas is now firmly behind him.

That fresh start comes with big responsibilities. Luka’s commitment to the Lakers is clear: he signed a three-year extension on the first day it could be offered, and he now has the third-best odds to win the NBA MVP award behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. With the marketing power of Jordan Brand, the global reach of the Lakers, and natural on-court charisma, he’s stepped right into a leadership role, even overtaking 40-year-old James as the organization’s guiding star. Last season, Luka proved he can deliver under pressure, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over 28 games for the Lakers.

His first glimpses of life in Los Angeles only added to the excitement. No. 77 Purple & Gold jerseys filled every seat in the arena, and LeBron even wore one during pregame warmups. On the court, Luka sprinkled in his signature “Luka magic,” helping the Lakers beat the Nuggets, Clippers, Rockets twice, and the Thunder, Pacers, and Knicks once. Yet the postseason reminded everyone that talent alone isn’t enough—the Lakers’ offense cracked 100 points just twice in five games against Minnesota, showing that real contention would demand growth in every area.

That growth started with his body. Over the offseason, Luka Doncic underwent a major transformation, slimming down and improving his agility and speed after Dallas had reportedly cited conditioning concerns when they traded him. The physical changes were obvious: he landed on the cover of Men’s Health and earned a spot on the EuroBasket 2025 All-Star team, even though Slovenia lost in the quarterfinals. Being leaner doesn’t just look better—it makes him quicker on his feet, boosting his defense and helping him keep up with faster guards, addressing one of the biggest critiques from last season.

Leadership is the final piece of Luka’s transformation. He isn’t new to guiding teams, having captained Slovenia at EuroBasket, where teammate Edo Muric praised his maturity and patience. Luka himself reflected, “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.”

His ability to balance responsibility with performance is likely why Jeanie Buss has already glimpsed the potential of a Lakers legend in him.

The next Laker icon? Luka Doncic channels Magic, Kobe, and LeBron

Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss sees Dončić’s global impact as mirroring some of the franchise’s all-time greats. Buss told The Athletic, “The idea that he is a Laker, it connects us. It’s a global thread,” she said. “I can’t think of a better representation of Laker basketball than Luka and what he brings to the game. To see it in a different context, a European tournament, it just feels very similar to Kobe or LeBron in the Olympics or Magic Johnson with the Dream Team.” And Luka certainly proved that on the court during EuroBasket 2025.

Averaging 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game across 7 tournament games, he not only led all players in points per game and efficiency rating (36.6) but also topped the charts in usage percentage at 41.8%. Slovenia may have been eliminated in the quarterfinals by Germany, but Luka’s 243 points exceeded his 233 minutes on the floor, including an astonishing 40.5 points across two knockout games. His dominance earned him a spot on the All-Star Five alongside Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Alperen Sengun.

Luka’s dominance extended beyond the stat sheet. Watching him in Poland, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka called him “sort of like an illusionist. He does things on the court that you can’t fully understand unless you’re live at the game.” He wasn’t just scoring—he was leading, vocally guiding teammates, and asserting himself in clutch moments, showing a maturity that impressed both his national team and the Lakers’ staff.

Off the court, Luka’s physical transformation over the offseason was equally striking. Shedding about 31 pounds, he arrived in Poland leaner, quicker, and more explosive, a change that paid dividends on both ends of the floor. The added speed and agility allowed him to elevate his defense, finishing as the tournament’s steals leader at 2.7 per game, recording blocks, and consistently disrupting opponents, all while maintaining his offensive firepower.

By the quarterfinals against Germany, Slovenia led for 26 of 40 minutes, a testament to Luka’s impact in every facet of the game. EuroBasket 2025 wasn’t just a showcase—it was a statement: Luka is faster, leaner, more commanding, and more prepared than ever to carry the Lakers’ legacy forward.