Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Noah Graham, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File
LOS ANGELES — For the first time in nearly a decade, the Los Angeles Lakers held their media day without the NBA's all-time leading scorer in LeBron James.
James left the Lakers in the offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic as the unquestioned centerpiece of a new-look squad that has only eight holdovers from the previous year.
For Doncic, being asked to lead one of basketball's most storied franchises into its next era comes with plenty of responsibility — but it is a challenge he says he welcomes.
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"I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it's not new to me," Doncic said. "But I feel great. I feel excited, and I'm ready to go."
When reminded of the lineage of Lakers superstars who have carried the franchise — from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant and James — Doncic said he understands the significance of the role.
"I wouldn't say different," Doncic said. "Obviously [you] have great, all-time great names that you just mentioned. But it's like a new challenge. I like challenges. I wouldn't say it feels different, but I would say I feel honored."
Doncic has already begun putting his stamp on the team away from the court.
During the offseason, he hosted several teammates in his native Slovenia, giving the revamped group an opportunity to spend time together before training camp. The trip included pickup basketball, golf, rowing and plenty of competition, but Doncic said its biggest purpose was building relationships.
"It was very important for me to show them where I'm from," Doncic said. "It was very nice that all of them came, which I know is not easy, but that just shows what kind of group we are."
While Doncic is now at the center of the Lakers, he does not envision leadership coming from him alone.
"Everybody, the whole team, will look up to me. I will look up to them," he said. "There should be many leaders. We should be able to be holding each other accountable."
One of those leaders will be 6th year guard Austin Reaves.
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his basket and LA Clippers foul with Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 during a 135-118 Los Angeles Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How, Getty Images/AFP/File
Reaves now finds himself as the longest-tenured Laker on the roster and takes on an increased leadership role following James' departure. But instead of trying to replace the four-time NBA champion's voice, Reaves says he plans to lead in his own way.
"I'm not gonna lead the same way Bron does. I'm not gonna lead the same way Luka does," Reaves said. "I like to do things a little different."
Reaves described himself as someone who prefers one-on-one conversations with teammates rather than constantly being the loudest voice in the room.
"There will be times where I need to speak up in group settings, and I'll do that when the time comes," he said. "But I think you just gotta be true to yourself and do what's comfortable for you."
His relationship with Doncic could also become one of the defining partnerships of this new Lakers era.
Reaves said the two had already discussed continuing their partnership late last season, and winning remains at the center of those conversations.
"At the end of the day, we care about winning, and that's all that matters," Reaves said.
The Lakers also spent the offseason reshaping the roster around their new centerpiece, including the addition of seven-foot center Walker Kessler.
Doncic made no secret about wanting Kessler in Los Angeles.
"I really wanted him," Doncic said. "I think the organization wanted him. I wanted him. All the players wanted him. So I think it's an amazing fit for us."
Kessler provides Doncic with a rim protector on one end and a potentially dangerous pick-and-roll partner on the other.
It did not take long for the new center to get a glimpse of what that partnership could become.
During the team's trip to Slovenia, Kessler recalled catching his first lob from Doncic.
"I don't even think he was looking at me," Kessler said. "He kinda just threw it, and I was there."
Kessler caught it, finished the dunk and exchanged a high-five with his new teammate.
Said Kessler: "I was like, ‘Yep, I can get used to this.'"
The 25-year-old center also enters Los Angeles well aware of the expectations that come with wearing the purple and gold. But Kessler said the organization's belief in him has given him even more motivation heading into the season.
"It makes me feel like I can run through a brick wall for this organization and this team, my teammates," Kessler said.
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