The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new chapter, and Luka Doncic is already making it clear that leadership will be part of his job description.
Before the 2026-27 season officially gets underway, Doncic brought his Lakers teammates to Slovenia for a minicamp designed to build chemistry away from the usual NBA routine.
The trip gave the team an opportunity to work together on the court while also spending meaningful time together away from basketball.
For new teammate Kevon Looney, the experience offered an early glimpse into what Doncic can mean to the Lakers beyond his production.
Looney said the Slovenia trip was unlike anything he had experienced during his NBA career. He was particularly impressed that Doncic welcomed the team to his home country and created an environment where players could spend several days together.
The veteran center came away convinced that Doncic has the personality to lead the group.
“He’s a great player and a great leader,” Looney said in an interview with ESPN Radio’s Mason & Ireland, according to Fadeaway World.
That endorsement carries some weight coming from Looney.
The three-time NBA champion spent the majority of his career with the Golden State Warriors and experienced firsthand what a championship-level locker room looks like.
Now, he believes the Lakers have enough talent to make a serious push.
Looney pointed to Doncic and Austin Reaves as high-level pieces while also praising the role players around them. He said the group has plenty of motivation and believes the Lakers have a legitimate chance to compete.
The Slovenia trip was about more than sightseeing, though.
The Lakers also worked on the court, played pickup games and spent time developing chemistry ahead of the new season. That could become particularly important as the roster adjusts to a larger leadership role for Doncic.
The change is significant.
With LeBron James no longer in Los Angeles, the Lakers are moving into an era in which Doncic is expected to become the central figure of the franchise.
His decision to host the team in Slovenia offered an early indication that he is embracing that responsibility rather than simply waiting for the season to begin.
It also gave his teammates a chance to see a different side of their superstar.
Looney said the group was able to get to know Doncic away from the court while building relationships with one another. That kind of connection can be difficult to create during the compressed NBA season.
For the Lakers, that may ultimately be one of the most valuable outcomes of the trip.
There is still plenty to prove once training camp and the regular season arrive. The Western Conference remains crowded with contenders, and preseason chemistry does not automatically translate into postseason success.
But the early signs inside the Lakers’ locker room are encouraging.
Doncic is taking ownership of the team, his teammates appear receptive to his leadership, and Looney believes the roster has the talent necessary to make noise.
The real test will come when the games count.
For now, though, the Lakers have something every contender needs before chasing a championship: a group that appears increasingly willing to follow its new franchise centerpiece.
