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Entering a new chapter in his career, Luka Doncic is currently embracing the challenges of his first full season as the primary cornerstone for the Los Angeles Lakers, following the departure of LeBron James from the active roster.
Now that he has fully stepped into the role of the franchise's undisputed leader, Doncic is prioritizing the development of strong interpersonal connections with his fellow players. This effort is particularly vital given the significant number of fresh faces and newcomers who joined the purple and gold during this past busy offseason.
A bonding trip to Slovenia
In order to create more team chemistry, Doncic decided to take the players and staff to Slovenia for a few days, where they will visit some locations in his home country and bond with some team building activities.
According to a detailed report from Zurnal24, the Slovenian superstar personally covered the entire cost of the private jet that touched down earlier today at the airport in Ljubljana, the nation's capital city.
To ensure the flight for his teammates during the long journey from the United States, Doncic opted to lease a high-end aircraft from one of the world's most prestigious aviation brands. The chosen vessel is the sophisticated Global 8000, a flagship model produced by the Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier.
This aircraft boasts impressive technical specifications, including the capability to fly 14,000 kilometers non-stop while reaching altitudes of 15,000 meters and cruising speeds of up to 1,200 km/h.
Furthermore, it is designed to remain airborne for as long as 14 hours at a time, providing a seamless travel experience for the 20 passengers who can fit within its exceptionally luxurious and well-appointed interior cabin.
The high cost of team unity
Investing in such machinery requires significant capital, as the plane carries a purchase price of approximately $87 million, and securing a short-term rental for such a machine is certainly not a low-cost endeavor.
Industry standards suggest that the most affordable rental rate for this model starts at roughly $18,000 per hour; however, these preferred rates are typically reserved for clients who commit to a minimum of 25 flight hours annually.
Calculations provided by Zurnal24 suggest that when considering the total duration of a direct flight originating in Los Angeles and terminating in Slovenia, it is estimated that Doncic spent roughly a quarter of a million euros just for the one-way transportation of his teammates.