Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) walks across the court during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of another transition period, and nobody is sure what to expect. But with Mark Walter out and co-owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner in, it’s a brand new regime running the show, and anything is on the table.
For Lakers star Luka Doncic, it’s all happened so fast. While reports have confirmed that he was not consulted on the trade, he is scheduled to meet with the new ownership next week, right in time for his mini-camp in Slovenia.
“Doncic was not consulted about the sale, sources told ESPN, but he plans to have a video conference call with Iger and Kushner next week from Slovenia as he prepares to host his teammates for a mini-camp in his home country,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
This is a big summer for Luka and the Lakers. Following the departure of LeBron James, the team has undergone a major overhaul, headlined by the arrivals of Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Kevon Looney (among others). That’s why Doncic is organizing his own mini-camp where he will get his first chance to build chemistry with new teammates. Now, all that’s left to do is establish rapport with the guys in charge.
Doncic, 27, has worked for three governors since joining the Lakers in 2025. It started with Jeannie Buss, and then it was Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who was recently forced to sell after being exposed in a potential $20+ billion fraud scheme. Walter’s takeover was still in a transition period when he sold it to the new co-owners for a historic $12.5 billion.
It’s a lot of change for any player to handle, and especially so for Luka, who isn’t far removed from his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks. It was the ultimate shock for Doncic at the time, and things have been moving ever since. Fortunately, while the Lakers did not bother to consult him on the sale, Luka isn’t taking it personally. In fact, he’s already embraced the new ownership and welcomes an open line of communication. By all accounts, he remains as locked in as ever, just as the Lakers remain committed to building around the two-time scoring champion.
As for what might be discussed in next week’s meeting, it’s anyone’s guess. Since the roster is already filled, there won’t be any roster-related conversations, at least not right now. Instead, the new owners will likely take the opportunity to get to know the Lakers star on a more personal level, with the aim of building a healthy and lasting relationship. It will be a long process, but the early signs look promising.
They know more than anyone how important Luka is to their success, and his happiness will be a big priority going forward. The 6’8″ guard, who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting from the field last season, has another three years and $159 million on his contract, and the Lakers will be working hard to make the most of it.