Luka Doncic Writes Letter to Lakers Fans, Eyes 'Run For a Championship' Ahead of NBA Opener

Luka Dončić is promising fans the Los Angeles Lakers will be competing for a title in the franchise's first season since parting ways with LeBron James.

Dončić addressed Lakers fans in an ad published in Wednesday's edition of the Los Angeles Times (h/t The Athletic's Dan Woike).

"Dear LA, tonight we start our run for a championship," Dončić's letter began.

Dončić continued, "We have a special team. We know what you expect, and we are going to do everything in our power to deliver it.

"From the moment I arrived in LA, you welcomed me with open arms. That is something I will never forget. So here is my promise to you: we are going to give you everything we have, every single night."

Dončić and the Lakers are set to open the 2026-27 season Wednesday night against Stephen Curry and the visiting Golden State Warriors.

This isn't the first time Dončić has expressed hope he will be playing for a title next spring. He said during training camp earlier this month he feels the Lakers "can be a championship team" in 2027.

Dončić is set to make his season debut Wednesday alongside a new-look starting lineup for the Lakers. Austin Reaves is returning as a starter.

The rest of the starting five will be rounded out by newcomers in Walker Kessler alongside some combination of Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Quentin Grimes.

The Lakers started Dončić, Reaves, Kessler, Williams and Thybulle in last Friday's preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets.

Lakers fans haven't seen Dončić play since April 2, when he suffered a hamstring injury that ultimately kept him out of the entirety of his team's run to the second round.

Dončić, who led the NBA with 33.5 points per game last season, will be tasked in his return not just with providing offensive production but in taking over as the new face of the Lakers franchise.

The Lakers star led a trip to Slovenia this offseason that was attended by every teammate excepting rookie Cameron Carr, per The Athletic's Dan Woike.

That team bonding trip and the open letter to fans could be signs Dončić is ready to step into the leadership role left open by James, who made his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a Tuesday night win over the defending champion New York Knicks.

The Lakers are set to begin their own season Wednesday night with a 10 p.m. ET tip-off at Crypto.com Arena.