Luka Doncic embraces leadership role with the Lakers: "I'm excited"

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

What changed before press day

Los Angeles Lakers enters a new stage with a remodeled cast around its European star.At the pre-season press day on Monday, Slovenian Luka Doncic and new teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili of Georgia highlighted their group building trip to Slovenia.

For a team that integrates many reinforcements, this period of togetherness in the summer was decisive: it allowed the heavily altered locker room to create a foundation of chemistry well before dealing with the pressure of training camp, which begins on Tuesday.

Ljubljana as a shortcut to interconnection

Doncic hosted the players in his hometown of Ljubljana to speed up the connection between them.

He assumes the lone leadership of the franchise after a deep roster reshuffle between seasons. "I've been in this position many times in my career, so it's nothing new to me but I feel great", Doncic said.

Sandro Mamukelashvili: from the path of misfortune to Kobe Bryant mentality

Mamukelashvili participated in the warm-up period amid commitments for the national team at the FIBA World Cup2026 Qualifiers, but immediately felt the bond created by the trip.

Created by watching Kobe Bryant , he intends to bring exactly that mentality onto the court. "I just want to be the player who is not satisfied. I want to achieve something in my career and I wanna win.

Tuesday onwards: training camp, preseason and official debut

The Lakers officially open the training camp on Tuesday, and then come pre-season games.

Where the story is now

The team is at the point where Doncic arrives without physical restrictions, assumes the role of isolated leader and bets on a newly assembled core that needed a trip to Slovenia to create enthusiasm.