The Los Angeles Lakers have rarely seen an offseason as eventful and unpredictable as the one leading into the 2025-26 NBA campaign. With a roster overhaul centered around superstar Luka Doncic, the Lakers are navigating both the promise of new beginnings and the uncertainty that comes with high-stakes moves and international commitments. The drama isn’t limited to the front office or the hardwood at Crypto.com Arena—this summer, it’s stretched all the way to Europe, where Doncic’s participation with the Slovenian national team has Lakers fans holding their breath.
Let’s rewind to the 2024 NBA Draft. The Lakers, holding the 17th pick, selected Dalton Knecht, a prolific scorer from the University of Tennessee. Knecht arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation as one of college basketball’s elite shooters and, as an older rookie, was expected to make an immediate impact. The Lakers, desperate for outside shooting, seemed to have found their man. Early in the 2024-25 season, that hope was realized. Knecht not only flashed his scoring prowess but also earned a brief stint as a starter under new head coach JJ Redick. Whenever one of the Lakers’ stars sat out, Knecht stepped up, often delivering big numbers and giving the team a much-needed boost from beyond the arc.
But as is often the case in the NBA, fortunes can change in a heartbeat. The Lakers, eager to reshape their roster, orchestrated a blockbuster trade to bring in Luka Doncic, a move that sent shockwaves through the league. To make room for Doncic and address the void left by departing big man Anthony Davis, the front office sent Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. Yet, in a twist worthy of Hollywood, the trade was rescinded after the Lakers refused to clear Williams medically. Suddenly, Knecht was back in purple and gold, thrust into a locker room that had already begun to move on without him.
It was an awkward situation, to say the least. But Knecht handled it with poise. While he still had his moments—most notably a scorching 37-point performance against the Utah Jazz, where he hit 12-of-16 shots and an eye-popping 9-of-12 from three-point range—his role diminished as the season wore on. By the time the playoffs arrived, Knecht was out of the rotation and made no impact on the Lakers’ postseason run. Still, his rookie campaign was far from a disappointment: he averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, shooting a respectable 37.6% from deep. For a team searching for reliable shooting, those numbers gave reason for optimism.
One game in particular showcased Knecht’s potential. With both Luka Doncic and LeBron James resting, Knecht and Austin Reaves nearly led a shorthanded Lakers squad to an upset over the Denver Nuggets, with Knecht pouring in 32 points. Performances like that kept fans and coaches alike wondering just how high his ceiling could be—if only he could find consistent minutes in a crowded rotation.
As this summer unfolded, Knecht’s position became even more precarious. His struggles in the 2025 Summer League—where he shot just 32.1% from the field and 23.7% from three—raised eyebrows. The Lakers didn’t stand pat, either. They brought in two more wings, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, adding competition and casting doubt on Knecht’s ability to secure a spot in the rotation for the upcoming season. While there’s no question he remains the team’s best pure shooter, the pressure is on. If Knecht falters early, Redick has plenty of options waiting in the wings, eager to seize their own opportunity.
But the Lakers’ offseason intrigue hasn’t been limited to domestic developments. Overseas, all eyes have been on Luka Doncic as he prepares for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament with Slovenia. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Doncic gave the Lakers and their fans a major scare. During a warm-up game against Latvia, a teammate crashed into Doncic’s legs, sending him to the court. He left the floor under his own power and was soon back on the bench, but the incident sparked immediate concern in Los Angeles. After all, Rob Pelinka and the front office have spent the summer constructing the team around Doncic, banking on his health and leadership to usher in a new era of Lakers basketball.
Thankfully, the worst was avoided. According to a Sunday report from Marc Stein, "Luka Doncic is scheduled to be back at practice Monday, Slovenia’s basketball federation has announced, with his official status still TBD for Tuesday’s @EuroBasket warmup game at home against Great Britain." The Slovenian basketball federation confirmed that Doncic had avoided a serious injury and would resume practice on Monday, August 18, 2025. His participation in Tuesday’s friendly against Great Britain remains uncertain, but the news was a massive relief for Lakers fans and team officials alike.
Doncic’s presence at EuroBasket is more than just a point of pride for Slovenia—it’s a marketing boon for FIBA and a showcase for one of the NBA’s brightest stars. He’s expected to play a significant role, both on the court and in promoting the tournament to audiences in North America and beyond. The hope in Los Angeles is that Doncic emerges from the competition healthy and ready to lead the Lakers into a promising new season.
Of course, the risk of injury in international play is never far from the minds of NBA executives. But as one league insider put it, the benefits of high-level competition may outweigh the dangers: "Doncic and multiple other elite European talents will likely hit the ground running when the new season starts, and that can only be a good thing for the NBA and its early season product." For now, Lakers fans can exhale—at least a little.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Lakers find themselves at a crossroads. Dalton Knecht’s future with the team hangs in the balance, his role threatened by new arrivals and his own inconsistent play. Luka Doncic, the franchise’s new focal point, is healthy for now, but his summer with Slovenia is a reminder of how quickly things can change. One thing’s for sure: in Los Angeles, there’s never a dull moment, and every twist and turn will be watched by millions. The Lakers’ quest for another championship continues, with hope, uncertainty, and a whole lot of drama leading the way.
