Make California Post a Preferred Source Luka Dončić was nervous before his teammates came to Slovenia.
He had never hosted a mini camp before, let alone asked a bunch of 20 and 30-something-year-old men to travel to Europe for him.
But with nine new players on the Lakers’ roster and the hopes of a 17-time championship franchise on his shoulders, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
So, he paid for his teammates to come to his home country so they could build chemistry.
He didn’t want to leave his two daughters (two-year-old Gabriela and nine-month-old Olivia), both of whom he shares custody with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia.
“Obviously, I was with my daughters,” Doncic said at Lakers media day on Monday. “So we decided that we would bring the team to Slovenia. It was an amazing trip.”
Dončić’s teammates got to understand him and his culture in a way few others have.
It deepened their relationships. It helped the Lakers get to know their superstar, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
“It was very important for me to show them where I’m from, and I think everybody liked it,” Doncic said. “We had some great time. Just, you know, it was very nice that all of them came, which I know it’s not easy. But that just showed what kind of group we are.”
When Austin Reaves was asked about the trip, he couldn’t help but trash talk Doncic a bit.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once.”
The Lakers enter training camp Tuesday already having taken an international trip together. They have inside jokes. They feel gratitude for Doncic, who paid for them to share that experience.
It’ll help expedite their biggest challenge next season: gelling.
With so many new faces, the quicker they can bond, develop trust, and learn one another, the faster they’ll be able to compete in the very crowded Western Conference.
As for Doncic, he made it clear that he’s looking forward to the challenge of being the Lakers’ biggest superstar after LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency in July.
“I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me,” Doncic said. “But I feel great. I feel excited. And like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Doncic missed all of last postseason after suffering a strained hamstring in April. He said he’s entering training camp healthy and without any restrictions.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
