Luka Doncic is preparing to take complete control of the Los Angeles Lakers as the franchise moves forward without LeBron James.
The pressure that comes with leading the Lakers is significant. The organization has won 17 championships, and its biggest stars have traditionally faced constant attention and criticism.
Doncic will soon carry that responsibility without another superstar taking much of the spotlight.
Pressure, however, is nothing new for Doncic. He joined Real Madrid as a teenager and played in front of demanding European crowds before entering the NBA as the third overall pick in 2018.
He later led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals before being traded to Los Angeles in February 2025.
Until now, James remained the most recognizable figure on the Lakers even as Doncic became their leading star.
That changed when the 41-year-old left Los Angeles for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency after eight seasons with the franchise.
The Slovenian star is now clearly at the center of the Lakers’ plans.
Los Angeles also built its roster with Doncic’s preferences in mind. Austin Reaves received a four-year, $180 million extension, while the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler and signed him to a four-year, $130 million contract.
The Kessler move cost Los Angeles significant future draft capital.
Doncic also took a larger leadership role during the offseason. For the first time in his career, he paid for the Lakers roster to travel to Slovenia for a minicamp designed to improve chemistry before the season.
His individual production has already shown what he can do as the main option.
During a dominant stretch last March, Doncic averaged 37.5 points, eight rebounds and 7.4 assists as Los Angeles went 15-2. He has also made clear that winning his first MVP remains an important personal goal.
“The better I play, the more I go down in ratings,” the player said in March. “So I don’t know what more I can do.”
