Lakers Sideline Luka Doncic Early Season Prioritizing Health

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for the 2025-26 NBA season with a focus on strengthening their roster and team chemistry, particularly around star player Luka Doncic. After being traded midseason last year, Doncic is now experiencing his first full training camp with the Lakers, describing it as a mix of excitement, difficulty, and mental preparation. The team has made strategic offseason additions, signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to address previous weaknesses in center play and perimeter defense. While Doncic is in excellent physical shape, the Lakers are prioritizing his long-term health and development, choosing to hold him out of early preseason games to ensure readiness for the regular season and playoffs. The Lakers also benefit from the leadership of head coach JJ Redick and the presence of LeBron James, aiming to capitalize on Doncic's prime years and contend deeply in the competitive Western Conference. Overall, the Lakers are optimistic that this season's preparation and roster moves will lead to a more successful campaign than last year's early playoff exit.