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“What I'm hearing” is a series of Los Angeles Lakers player previews using intel gathered throughout the summer. It will cover, in order, the players who have the most riding on this season and who the Lakers will most need to live up to their expectations.
The Luka Doncic era of the Lakers didn't get off to the start that either entity probably hoped for. There were flashes, sure, but overall, an unceremonious booting from the first round of the playoffs at the hand of the Minnesota Timberwolves — a team Doncic had just handled the year prior — was not how anyone envisioned his first trip to the postseason with the Lakers ending. Once he'd put that embarrassment behind him, he got to work and went viral for completely transforming his body.
Thing is: The work didn't end there. Doncic wants to be considered one of the greatest players to wear that Lakers uniform. He knows what is expected of him if that's how he'll be remembered, both on and off the court. This summer, he has blown the Lakers away as an organization with his work ethic and willingness to work alongside the front office to build not just for this season but for the entirety of his time in L.A.
While Doncic may not have entered the league boasting a 40-inch vertical, he did at one point dunk the basketball. He has yet to do so as a Laker. While dunk totals may not tell the whole story of a player's explosiveness, they do matter at least a little. One story coming out of his time with the Slovenian National Team is how much more athletic he has looked, and yeah, that includes dunks some of his teammates haven't seen from him in years.
Another key development over the summer has been the work Doncic has put in to make himself more effective without the basketball. Sources close to the Lakers say he has focused on becoming more comfortable shooting off the catch. He has also been in touch with coaches (Greg St. Jean is with him for EuroBasket, as an example) consistently this offseason to understand how they envision him impacting the game when LeBron James or Austin Reaves has the ball.
“He's way too good to just stand off to the side after he gives up the ball,” a West scout said. “Defenses should be nervous about him every second he's on the court. If they aren't, that's on him.”
Luka Doncic committed to LeBron James partnership, Lakers future
Speaking of James, sources close to the team reiterated recently that he and Doncic have maintained communication dating back to the onset of the summer with the focus being how they can make each other better. Rampant speculation about James' future aside, both superstars are looking forward to playing together again next season.
Another sign of Doncic's commitment to the Lakers was not only his extension, but how it came about. He signed at the very first opportunity to do so and there was absolutely zero drama on the matter. For the week or so leading up to his signing day, unanimously, sources close to the situation adamantly stated he'd sign the extension.
“It was an important message to send,” a source close to the team said. “He was never going anywhere and he wanted it known to everyone around the league that he was committed to us.”
With the Lakers already positioning themselves for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic or any other star who may grow impatient with their situation over the next year or so, Doncic signing so quickly is seen as an act to let other stars know they can go to Los Angeles and expect to join a fully committed superstar at the peak of his powers.
Doncic tried his hand at recruiting as the face of the Lakers this summer, making calls to Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart as word spread they were getting bought out. Both signed and spoke afterward about the role Doncic played in that decision. If he can swing two impact signings with limited financial flexibility, it's a safe assumption he'll be a real asset when the Lakers go big game hunting.
Being the face of the Lakers has its perks. At one point, Doncic was interviewed on Good Morning America to discuss how he had gotten into shape. This isn't the norm for professional athletes, who are generally expected to do so. With that hype comes immense responsibility. In his first full offseason, Doncic has relished everything that's come with the opportunity in front of him.
