When you land a superstar like Luka Doncic, keeping him happy is just as important as the trade that brought him in. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that means building a championship contender around their new franchise cornerstone—and it all starts with open lines of communication.
According to a recent report from The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick, Doncic has been in regular contact with Lakers majority owner Mark Walter, and the feedback is promising. "Dončić has had regular contact with new Lakers owner Mark Walter and has been impressed with the level of communication," league sources told the outlet. For a player of Doncic's caliber, feeling heard and valued at the highest level of ownership is a strong foundation for a long-term relationship.
The Lakers are navigating a critical offseason. While the organization must also decide how to handle LeBron James' future, deepening the bond with Doncic is a top priority. The Slovenian superstar signed a massive three-year contract extension last summer, just six months after the stunning trade that sent him to Los Angeles. However, he holds an opt-out clause in 2028, meaning the Lakers can't afford to waste time building a winner around him.
That timeline got a boost last spring when general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick sat down with Doncic to outline their vision for a contending roster. This offseason, the Lakers will have significant salary cap flexibility—tens of millions of dollars to play with—and multiple paths to building a team that can compete for the NBA title as soon as next season.
It's a welcome prospect for a player who just put up staggering numbers. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during the regular season, securing his second scoring title and landing on the fringe of the MVP conversation. The Lakers finished 53-29 despite battling key injuries, including a Grade 2 hamstring strain that sidelined Doncic for the final five games of the regular season and the entire playoffs. Without him, L.A. was swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder—after upsetting the Houston Rockets in the first round.
With a healthy Doncic and a roster built around his elite skill set, the Lakers could be back in title contention sooner than later. And with Mark Walter setting the tone from the top, the communication—and the trust—is already there.