Luka Doncic’s Slovenia minicamp has already given the new Lakers a first taste of what this revamped group can look like, and it’s the kind of early bonding trip that’s drawing attention across the league.
After the Lakers’ massive roster overhaul and the departure of LeBron James, Doncic brought his new teammates to his home country for a stretch that mixed basketball with plenty of time away from the floor. The group spent time on the court, played golf and took part in other activities designed to help them get familiar with one another before the 2026-27 NBA season.
The setup has earned Doncic plenty of praise, and not just from his teammates. Sasha Vujacic, the former Lakers guard and two-time NBA champion who is also Slovenian, was among those who highlighted the move as a sign of leadership. Vujacic recently appeared on ESPN Los Angeles, along with several current Lakers players, and spoke about what he’s seen from Doncic.
The trip seems to have landed well inside the locker room, too. Collin Sexton and Kevon Looney were among the players who came away speaking highly of Doncic after the visit.
The Lakers won’t be back together for long before things start moving fast. Their next full team gathering is set for media day on Sept. 28, with training camp opening the following day.
From there, the countdown to the season really begins. Los Angeles opens its preseason on Oct. 5 against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, and the team will play five preseason games overall before the 2026-27 campaign tips off on Oct. 21.
The Lakers’ preseason slate includes two games against the Kings, two against the Golden State Warriors and one against the Denver Nuggets.
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