The Los Angeles Lakers are walking into the 2025–26 season at a crossroads. On one side, they have LeBron James entering his 23rd season — still an All-NBA force, but for the first time in his Lakers tenure, on a one-year contract. On the other hand, they have Luka Dončić, a 26-year-old superstar entering his prime, whom the franchise is steadily positioning as its long-term cornerstone.
The tension between honoring a legend’s final chapters and elevating the next great face of the team framed the Lakers’ preseason press conference on Thursday.
General manager Rob Pelinka emphasized that the organization’s priority is to respect James’ timeline while ensuring Dončić is surrounded by the right roster and infrastructure to thrive.
“The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family regarding how many years he’s going to continue to play,” Pelinka said. “He’s earned that right.”
Pelinka made clear the door is open if James decides he wants to keep playing past this season.
“We would love if LeBron’s story would be he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said. “That would be a positive story.”
JJ Redick’s Extension Shows Commitment to Continuity
While James’ future remains uncertain, the Lakers solidified stability on the sidelines by extending head coach J.J. Redick. After leading Los Angeles to 50 wins and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference in his debut season, the former sharpshooter earned a multi-year extension.
“Just to make it clear that he’s the basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance,” Pelinka said. “We think he’s a special coach with a special voice that’s really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence.”
Redick called the extension a rare show of faith in a first-time coach. In an era where teams often cycle through head coaches quickly, he said the Lakers’ commitment reflects both trust in his vision and the organization’s desire for stability after years of turnover.
“It’s not lost on me, this sort of rarity of a first-time head coach getting an extension,” Redick said. “I recognize how fortunate I am to be in an organization that supports me in that way.”
He also reflected on his growth, pointing to two words: philosophy and methodology. Redick said he spent the summer refining his system and learning from figures like NFL coach Sean McVay and Tom Brady.
“Philosophy is continued growth for how I want this team to play,” Redick said. “Methodology was about self-assessment and talking with others. It’s about continued growth for myself and my staff to serve the team.”
Luka Dončić’s Evolution
Dončić’s summer at EuroBasket left a strong impression on the Lakers’ brass. Pelinka traveled to Poland to see him firsthand, not only to watch his on-court dominance but to observe how he operated within the structure of a national team.
“His overall leadership tone and how he not only led by example but was very demonstrative in terms of his expectations of the team, their togetherness — seeing that continued evolution and growth with him as a leader was impressive,” Pelinka said.
“His excitement level in embracing this new standard was very high… He’s moving better, he’s defending… I expect the best version of Luka.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 25, 2025
JJ Redick on Luka Doncic 🗣️
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/v21KUh2CZD
Redick echoed that Dončić’s transformation was both physical and mental. Beyond trimming down and showing more mobility at EuroBasket, the coach pointed to a deeper maturity in how Dončić approaches preparation and accountability.
“This is Luka’s life now — his routine, daily commitment to an elevated standard,” Redick said. “This summer and at EuroBasket, I saw him moving and defending better. I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job to bring that out daily.”
Redick added that he has worked with Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves on concepts where “all three feel involved and share the court together,” emphasizing a more balanced approach than last season’s rotation upheavals.
Depth and New Additions
The Lakers reshaped the supporting cast around their stars. DeAndre Ayton provides a traditional center option, Marcus Smart brings toughness and secondary playmaking, and Jake LaRavia offers growth potential as a 3-and-D piece.
“Having a true center like DeAndre Ayton adds a major dimension,” Pelinka said. “We know Luka and LeBron thrive with 3-and-D players; Marcus Smart is proven as an elite 3-and-D player.”
Redick placed particular emphasis on what Smart brings beyond the stat sheet. His voice and presence, the coach said, are the type of intangibles that championship teams need to lean on when adversity hits.
“Toughness and competitive spirit — we need his voice, part of championship-level communication,” Redick said. “Defensively, he grades very high in metrics and is versatile, also an underrated playmaker.”
Others Come In Ready
Beyond the newcomers, the Lakers are also banking on internal growth from key returners, with Rui Hachimura at the top of that list. The 27-year-old forward has steadily carved out a role as a versatile scorer and defender since arriving in Los Angeles, and both the coaching staff and front office believe he’s positioned for another step forward.
“Rui is a joy to be around every day,” Redick said. “He’s playing with a high level of confidence right now.” Pelinka added: “Since we traded for Rui, every season he’s gotten a little better at something. I expect another jump from him.”
Redick also pointed to Reaves as a standout this offseason. More than just showing up in shape, Reaves established himself as the tone-setter in the gym, a role that Redick said carries weight on a veteran-heavy roster.
“He’s been the best player in the gym daily,” Redick said. “His body is really strong with burst and athleticism. It’s clear he spent time working on himself this summer.”
Dalton Knecht has also impressed after recovering from summer burnout. The rookie guard struggled with fatigue after a heavy schedule through summer league, but Redick said September workouts revealed a reset.
“Dalton’s in a great spot mentally and physically,” Redick said. “Now he’s in phenomenal shape and played well through September.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ Organizational Vision
Beyond the roster, the Lakers are also navigating ownership changes. Redick described Mark Walter, whose transaction is still pending, as “an incredibly exciting leader” while emphasizing Jeanie Buss’ continued influence over operations.
Pelinka said the Lakers remain open to bold moves if they fit the franchise’s championship standard. “If a transaction brings sustainable Lakers excellence and increases our odds to win a championship, we would consider trading future draft capital to make that move,” he said.
For now, the Lakers are leaning into continuity. Redick downplayed the importance of naming starters before camp, noting the team has “seven or eight starter-level players” and citing the 24 different lineups used last season.
“Not going to spend too much time banging my head against the wall on that before we have a practice,” he said.
In many ways, this season represents both a potential last dance and a first test. James, still playing at an elite level, is free to decide how his career closes. Dončić, meanwhile, is stepping firmly into a leadership role with the roster and organizational backing to be the next centerpiece of Lakers basketball.
“[LeBron is] in a great spot mentally and I know he’s going to give us his absolute best,” Redick said. “And Luka is ready to embrace everything that comes with being the centerpiece of this team.”
For the Lakers, the challenge is to maximize both — honoring James’ legacy while building the foundation for Dončić’s prime.
