In the midst of all the ownership rumors, roster changes, and offseason hype surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, there is a detail that probably says more than anything else at the moment. This summer, Luka Dončić took all of his new teammates to Slovenia by plane. He settled the bill on his own. A six-figure bill, apparently. When a player is silently searching for the exit, he doesn’t act like that.
The question of whether the 2026–27 season might be Dončić’s final in purple and gold was addressed this week by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who covers the Lakers as closely as anyone in the industry. In essence, his response was “not a chance.” Well, not just yet. McMenamin called it “similarly unfathomable” that Dončić would make such a personal investment in his teammates only to ask for a trade the next summer. Although it’s a strong word, it’s easy to understand why he used it given the context.
This backdrop is truly unique. Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are getting ready to replace Mark Walter as the Lakers’ new owners. For any franchise, that represents a substantial institutional change, which inevitably prompts concerns about future course. However, under Walter’s supervision, Dončić signed a three-year, $160.34 million contract extension in August 2025. The contract still has two years left after this upcoming season, with a $57.8 million player option for 2028–2029. Contracts change the burden of proof, but they do not remove uncertainty. That burden currently rests with those who contend Luka is departing.
It’s also important to consider the actual roster composition of the Lakers going into the season. The intriguing but challenging co-starring arrangement came to an end when LeBron James moved to Philadelphia. There is no longer any doubt as to whose team this is, regardless of how that partnership performed on the court. Last season, Dončić averaged a league-high 33.5 points per game, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds. In the MVP voting, he came in fourth. It’s not a supporting character. The organization is aware that this franchise player is performing at a very high level.
That’s reflected in the offseason additions that have surrounded him. Three-time champion Kevon Looney, who ran pick-and-roll plays alongside Stephen Curry for years, signed a one-year contract because he recognized the offensive scheme.
According to McMenamin, Looney observes obvious similarities: the same screening geometry and cutting angles, but with Dončić in charge rather than Curry. According to Looney, Luka is arguably the league’s top pick-and-roll operator when it comes to identifying angles and outwitting defenses. That’s not just media-day rhetoric; that’s real enthusiasm.
Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler, and a number of other players joined a roster that appears much younger and more flexible than the one from the previous season. The team will initially take a step back, according to some observers, which is a legitimate worry.
Dončić’s leadership responsibilities have increased significantly since the offseason, according to McMenamin himself. The organization seems to be fully committed to Dončić’s ability to carry that. It remains to be seen if the newly established ownership group fully adopts that viewpoint, but all indications point to continuity.
However, the Slovenia minicamp consistently emerges as the most significant aspect of the overall picture. It was not a league-sponsored event. It wasn’t required by PR. It was a young player who was still making a name for himself as the undisputed face of one of the most closely watched teams in American sports. He spent his own money to get his teammates on the same court and in the same room, creating something before the season even began. That’s how someone who is invested in the future behaves. Not someone who is keeping track of the months.
Ownership will shift. Rosters will change. There are legitimate questions about the Lakers this season, some of which are difficult to answer. However, Dave McMenamin’s interpretation seems correct when it comes to the main question: is Luka Dončić still the cornerstone of this franchise? As it is, the evidence points in a single direction.
