Doncic opens the post-LeBron era: “The Lakers play to win”

For years, any discussion about the Lakers’ ambitions inevitably went through LeBron James. Now that No. 23 has chosen the Philadelphia 76ers, the keys have definitively been handed to Luka Doncic, who wasted no time at Media Day making it clear what leading a franchise like Los Angeles means to him: no transition year, no lowered expectations.

It starts directly with the NBA title.

Realistically, I’d say the championship, because if that’s not your goal, I don’t know what you’re doing here. I want everyone, myself included, to come in every day wanting to learn something, be competitive and give everything

Luka Doncic

The answer perfectly captures Doncic’s new role. At 27, the Slovenian has already been in similar situations in Dallas, where practically everything went through his hands, but becoming the face of the Lakers carries a different kind of weight. Especially after LeBron’s departure.

Luka, however, seems to have been waiting for precisely this moment.

I feel great. It’s a new challenge, even though I’ve been in this position many times during my career. I’m excited and ready to get started. It’s been a long time since I last played basketball and I can’t wait

Luka Doncic

Doncic after LeBron: “Playing with him was incredible”

That “I feel great” comment about his new role without James was enough for some people on social media to imagine a shot at his former teammate. In reality, Doncic told a very different story, explaining how much he appreciated the time he spent with LeBron.

It was sad to see him leave. Playing with LeBron was incredible and I learned so much from him. We all know who LeBron James is: the time we spent together was fantastic

Luka Doncic

So there was no sense of relief, simply a changing of the guard that now puts Doncic at the center of everything. And becoming the new face of a franchise that has been defined by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and LeBron is a responsibility Luka appears happy to embrace.

It’s a new challenge and I like challenges. I feel honored

Luka Doncic

The Lakers, meanwhile, have tried to build the roster around him. Austin Reaves stayed, while Walker Kessler arrived to bolster the frontcourt, with Los Angeles investing heavily in the trade package sent to Utah and a new four-year, $130 million contract.

I really wanted him

Luka Doncic on Walker Kessler

The foundation to build on isn’t bad, either. Los Angeles finished last regular season with 53 wins, before being eliminated in the second round by Oklahoma City. Doncic didn’t even play in those Playoffs because of a toe injury, which is why this will also be the first real opportunity to see how far the project built around him can go.

And in the middle of all this, there’s also some unfinished personal business: the MVP award. Luka has never hidden his desire to win it one day, but even on that front, he put team performance first.

Obviously, I’d love to win it one day, but it doesn’t happen if the team isn’t doing well

Luka Doncic

In the end, the concept is fairly simple. Doncic can chase the MVP, the Lakers may need time to figure out how to operate without LeBron, and the Western Conference remains packed with teams built to go all the way. But Luka doesn’t seem interested in using any of those things to lower expectations: the Lakers are his now and, at least in terms of intentions, the new era must begin with an immediate push for the title.