Luka Doncic won’t play within the Los Angeles Lakers’ first two preseason video games this weekend, the workforce introduced Friday. The Lakers tip off their six-game preseason slate Friday in opposition to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert.
Los Angeles will then play a highway sport in opposition to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The Purple and Gold are additionally scheduled to host the Warriors (Oct. 12) and go to Phoenix once more (Oct. 14).
Lakers To Relaxation Luka Doncic After His EuroBasket Participation
In keeping with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the choice to carry Doncic out was made by the five-time All-Star guard and the Lakers’ efficiency workforce, “making an allowance for his EuroBasket participation.”
Los Angeles will even be with out LeBron James (nerve irritation in his glute), Marcus Good (left Achilles tendinopathy), Maxi Kleber (quad), and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee swelling) in opposition to Phoenix.
In August, Doncic agreed to a three-year, $165 million most contract extension, with a participant possibility in 2028. The brand new deal retains the 26-year-old out of free company subsequent summer season.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the five-time All-NBA member might choose out of his three-year contract in 2028 and signal a brand new deal for 35% of the wage cap, which initiatives to 5 years and $417 million.
Luka Doncic on what constitutes success within the preseason: “I don’t know the reply to that one. That’s the primary time anyone requested me that” pic.twitter.com/mUcis9D0wr
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 2, 2025
In doing so, Doncic would recoup all the cash misplaced when he was traded by the Dallas Mavericks, with whom he had been eligible to signal a five-year, $315 million supermax extension this summer season.
“I’m actually grateful to the Lakers group, my teammates and the followers for welcoming me and my household with a lot assist and kindness since day one,” Doncic stated in an announcement.
“That is an incredible group, and I really consider in what we’re constructing collectively. I’m going to maintain working as laborious as I can to convey one other championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud.
“That is only the start. I’m excited for what’s forward and to maintain constructing one thing particular with this workforce.”
Doncic Led Lakers In Factors, Rebounds Final Season
The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavs for Anthony Davis eight months in the past in one of the crucial surprising trades in NBA historical past. It was the most important acquisition for L.A. since buying and selling for Kobe Bryant in 1996.
In 28 video games (all begins) with the Lakers final season, Doncic averaged 28.2 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 35.1 minutes per contest whereas taking pictures 43.8% from the sphere and 37.9% from past the arc.
He additionally led L.A. in factors, rebounds, assists, steals, and 3-pointers per sport.
Whereas Doncic makes the Lakers an automated playoff contender, they did lose Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets in free company.
Nevertheless, the Lakers had been capable of signal Deandre Ayton, Marcus Good, and Jake LaRavia this offseason. Jaxson Hayes additionally reached a one-year deal to return to L.A.
LeBron James additionally exercised his $52.6 million participant possibility for the upcoming marketing campaign. That is a part of the two-year, $101.4 million contract he signed with the workforce final July.
The Lakers host the Warriors on Oct. 21 to open their 2025-26 season.
