Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić told the Golf Channel while attending the British Open that he’s “excited” for next season.
The Lakers have completely reshaped their roster this summer around Dončić and Austin Reaves.
“I think we have a really good team,” Dončić said. “I’m very excited to start a new season. Obviously, last season didn’t end how we wanted, so I’m very excited for the new one.”
The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle in free agency.
Los Angeles also re-signed Reaves, who is close friends with Dončić.
The Lakers did lose LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton from last season’s team. James is a free agent, Smart signed with the Houston Rockets, Kennard joined the Phoenix Suns, Hachimura went to the Los Angeles Clippers and Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy.
LAL went 53-29 last season. Dončić led the NBA in points per game and total points in his first full season with the Lakers. However, he missed the 2026 playoffs because of the left hamstring injury he suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game last season. He’s still looking to win his first NBA championship. The six-time All-Star went to the NBA Finals in 2024 with the Dallas Mavericks, who lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
A future Hall of Famer, Dončić has career averages of 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the regular season and 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the playoffs with the Mavericks and Lakers. He signed a three-year, $160 million extension with LAL last year.
Dončić will make $49.5 million next season. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 by declining his 2028-29 player option worth $57.4 million.
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