Lakers executives Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka showed their full support for Luka Dončić by attending the Slovenian star’s final EuroBasket practice in Katowice, Poland, as Slovenia prepared to open the tournament against Poland.
Pelinka stressed there are “zero problems” about Dončić’s participation with his national team now and in the future, underscoring the Lakers’ belief in supporting their franchise cornerstone. Dončić echoed his long-term commitment to playing for Slovenia, saying representing his country is an easy choice and that he will play whenever possible, provided he isn’t injured.
Buss and Pelinka were joined by Kurt and Linda Rambis and Dr. Leroy Sims, the Lakers’ director of player performance and health, as part of a group that traveled from Los Angeles to watch Slovenia’s opener against Poland on Thursday night in Katowice. Dončić met with Buss and Pelinka for lunch earlier in the day and expressed appreciation for their presence and support.
Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean, who has worked with Dončić in Dallas, is also with the Slovenian national team this summer. Slovenia is grouped with Poland (the host), France, Israel, Belgium, and Iceland, with two teams from the group advancing to the knockout rounds. The Slovenian squad may be undermanned by its standards, making the support from the Lakers even more meaningful.
Pelinka said the Lakers’ championship expectations for the near future still center on Dončić and LeBron James, but the team will let Dončić focus on EuroBasket first and turn his attention to the Lakers only after the tournament concludes, hopefully with a deep run or a title.
The article notes that Dončić signed a three-year extension with the Lakers for max money on August 3, and that his summer with the Slovenian team is part of a busy offseason, including hard work and team-building with his national peers. The demonstration of backing from Los Angeles reinforces the franchise’s stance that it supports its star players wherever their careers take them.
Summary: The Lakers reiterated strong backing for Luka Dončić as he competes for Slovenia in EuroBasket, with top team executives in attendance. The emphasis remains on Dončić’s national-team duties this summer, followed by a focus on Lakers goals with him and LeBron James ahead of the upcoming season.
Commentary: This visit signals the Lakers’ commitment to their stars beyond the NBA season, which can boost Dončić’s confidence and stability as he balances club and country. It also places pressure on the team to maintain health and performance across both fronts, especially given Slovenia’s challenging group and the potential impact on Dončić’s workload. Positive outlook: if Dončić stays healthy and Slovenia competes effectively, the Lakers’ long-term plan to optimize his development and championship window could pay dividends down the line.