The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with a sense of anticipation and a tinge of uncertainty, as the franchise turns the page to a new chapter led by Luka Doncic while LeBron James’ future remains clouded. In a whirlwind offseason, the Lakers not only secured their new franchise cornerstone with a blockbuster extension but also found themselves navigating the delicate balance between honoring a living legend and building for the future.
Jeanie Buss, the ever-present Lakers president, didn’t hold back when discussing what Luka Doncic means to the storied organization. Speaking to The Athletic’s Dan Woike on September 24, Buss made a bold proclamation: “The idea that he is a Laker, it connects us. It’s a global thread. 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.”
Buss’ words carried extra weight, considering the lengths she and the Lakers front office went to show their support. Earlier this month, Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka, Kurt and Linda Rambis, and Dr. Leroy Sims, the team’s director of player performance and health, all traveled to Poland. Their mission? To watch Doncic represent Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025 and, perhaps more importantly, to demonstrate their commitment to their new superstar.
“He just looked comfortable,” Buss told The Athletic, reflecting on Doncic’s performance abroad. “His focus was on basketball instead of something else being in the back of mind. He’s less burdened; he’s got clarity. …He knows where he wants to be. He knows where he is now.” That clarity, it seems, is mutual. Doncic, who was among the best players in the tournament, led Slovenia deep into EuroBasket before falling to Germany in the quarterfinals. His efforts did not go unnoticed: he was named to the prestigious EuroBasket All-Star Five, joining the likes of Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Alperen Sengun.
Back in Los Angeles, the front office wasted no time locking up their new face of the franchise. In August, Doncic inked a massive three-year, $165 million extension, signaling a long-term commitment from both sides. The move came after a shocking midseason trade that brought Doncic to the Lakers, instantly igniting hopes of a new dynasty in the making.
But what does the NBA world think of the Lakers’ bold new direction? According to an ESPN survey released on September 22 by Tim Bontemps, Doncic is already making waves. Twenty NBA executives, coaches, and scouts weighed in, with Doncic receiving four MVP votes—good for third place behind Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As Bontemps noted, “For those voting for Doncic, the expectation is that with health and a full season with the Los Angeles Lakers after his shocking midseason trade, there’s no reason that this shouldn’t be a three-player race.”
One anonymous Eastern Conference executive went even further, suggesting that Doncic’s improved conditioning and motivation could propel him to the top. The survey also saw Doncic snag a vote as the best player in the world right now, though Jokic dominated that category. Looking ahead, Doncic finished second in a poll projecting the best player in 2030, with Victor Wembanyama receiving the lion’s share of votes. It’s clear: the league sees Doncic as a generational talent, and the Lakers are banking on him to deliver.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ GM, is quick to point out that the team isn’t simply waiting for LeBron James to ride off into the sunset before building around Doncic. In a September 19 interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Pelinka emphasized the importance of “optionality.” He explained, “In terms of team building, we’ve talked about the importance of having optionality and when I use that word, it’s not to say in the future. I think optionality is also in the now. Having both Luka as arguably the best player on the planet and LeBron James, who is still in the mix of being one of the great players in our game, even at his age, continues to allow us to think carefully about the value of that optionality.”
Yet, the shadow of LeBron’s eventual departure looms large. Entering the final year of his contract, James is set to become a free agent next summer. The speculation about his future is reaching a fever pitch, with fans and pundits alike wondering if this could be his last dance in purple and gold. LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, added fuel to the fire on September 23, telling ESPN, “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Paul’s comments, relayed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, suggested a pragmatic approach: “It’s important not to worry about the future when it comes to LeBron James. Just appreciate the present and also maximizing his present. And that, obviously, that onus, potentially falling on the Lakers, and what team they put around him.” The message is clear: LeBron’s camp wants to see a win-now mentality from the Lakers, even as the franchise eyes a long-term future with Doncic.
The tension between legacy and transition is palpable. Even former Lakers guard Byron Scott weighed in, telling TMZ Sports that LeBron hasn’t quite earned a statue outside Crypto.com Arena—at least not yet. “I think if he gets another one, then he has a chance. But right now, if you look at the players that have statues in front of Crypto.com [Arena], these are long lifers. They've been with the Lakers for almost their entire career, and they've had multiple championships. I think the only one who didn't is probably Jerry West.”
So, where does this leave the Lakers as the new season dawns? With Doncic’s star rising, LeBron’s future uncertain, and the front office betting on a blend of present greatness and future promise, the Lakers are poised for one of their most intriguing campaigns in recent memory. Will this be the year the torch is officially passed? Or could LeBron and Luka find a way to bring another championship to Los Angeles together, cementing both their legacies in Lakers lore?
For now, the buzz in L.A. is palpable. The Lakers faithful are ready for a season packed with drama, star power, and the ever-present hope of another banner in the rafters. The world will be watching as the purple and gold chase greatness, one game at a time.
