Los Angeles sits with a near-identity roster for 2025-26, built to win games and score, even as the front office keeps eyes on the next wave of star talent. Ayton arrives as a clear upgrade at center, Jaxson Hayes returns to a solid depth role, and Marcus Smart adds grit and defense. Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber are valued assets unlikely to be traded away before camp, while Rui Hachimura is kept in the rotation. LeBron James remains the engine, and Luka Doncic’s peak form looms as a reminder of the league’s elite. The Lakers intend to preserve cap space for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic in upcoming summers, while staying aggressive at this season’s trade deadline.

Luka Doncic locked in as the Lakers’ face with a three-year, $165 million max extension, while prepping for EuroBasket with Slovenia and staying plugged into L.A. The Lakers back him fully, with Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka praising the collaboration and Greg St. Jean joining Slovenia’s staff.

Off the court, Doncic linked with Overwatch, set to appear in Season 18 with Stadium builds and exclusive rewards as fans chase new rewards. A Vegas Backstreet Boys outing with the crew caps the offseason before training camp.

Lakers executives Pelinka and Buss visited Poland to back Luka Doncic as he competes for Slovenia in EuroBasket, signaling long-term faith in the star who helped redefine L.A.’s future alongside LeBron James. A three-year, $165 million extension through at least 2027 cements Doncic as the franchise’s nucleus amid James’s waning years.

The visit underscored the Lakers’ willingness to back Doncic through potential limits and injuries, following a trade that sent him from Dallas to L.A. and sparked immediate on-court success for the Lakers, who surged in the standings as Doncic delivered near-identical production to his Dallas years.

Luka Doncic headlines a nationwide Overwatch 2 push with billboards in Los Angeles and Katowice, while a Mavericks request moved a billboard away from the Dallas-area AAC.

The campaign spotlights Luka as a top esports competitor—with in-game skin and nickname Luka Dunkcic—even as he balances EuroBasket duties and a fresh three-year extension to stay with the Lakers. Opening night is Oct. 21 vs. Golden State, a season that blends cross-brand momentum with high-stakes fantasy chatter around usage, pace, and playmaking opportunities.