Lakers' Luka Doncic Reportedly Has 'Win-Now' Mentality Entering 2025-26 NBA Season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić has a win-now mentality as he trains this summer in anticipation of the 2025-26 NBA season, per comments made by ESPN's Dave McMenamin on NBA Today (2:00 mark).
"I spoke to someone close to Luka over the weekend, and they told me that Luka's mentality is 'win now.' So this isn't signing away to the Lakers and saying, 'OK... you have my commitment and I'll have some patience here.' It's, 'I want to win this year. I want to win the subsequent year. So long as my name is signed to a piece of paper saying I'm a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, I expect to be in a position to be able to raise banners at Crypto.com Arena.'"
As noted on NBA Today, Dončić is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension on Saturday. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that Dončić, who is currently on a Jordan Brand tour, is scheduled to sign that extension to cap the trip.
"It is widely expected that Doncic will meet with Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' brass upon his return to Los Angeles and officially sign a massive contract extension, league sources told ClutchPoints," per Siegel.
Dončić has made it no secret that he's been fighting hard this summer to get in great shape, as evidenced by him landing the cover and granting an exclusive interview on the matter with Men's Health.
The 26-year-old and five-time All-NBA First Teamer landed in town on Feb. 1 after the Dallas Mavericks stunningly traded him to the Lakers. He played less than half a season in L.A., helping lead the Lakers to a 50-win season and the Western Conference's No. 3 seed before they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
It seems clear that Dončić, who had led the Mavs to the Western Conference title in 2024, wants a much better playoff finish this time around. L.A. added a sorely needed center in Deandre Ayton and some key depth at guard in Marcus Smart. They join a group whose core remains from that 50-win team, including four-time NBA MVP LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Ultimately, the Lakers look ready to compete in the West, although they'll have great competition from the likes of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the re-tooled Houston Rockets, now led by Kevin Durant. Dončić appears determined to make his mark in purple and gold, though, as he looks forward to his first season in town.
