Luka Doncic hosted nearly the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster for a five-day minicamp in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from August 20 to August 24, sparking strong praise from teammate Kevon Looney regarding his leadership and commitment to winning. According to reports from ESPN Radio’s Mason & Ireland, the offseason gathering brought 16 players to the Slovenian capital—with only rookie Cameron Carr absent due to mandatory NBA orientation—featuring a blend of competitive workouts at Stozice Arena, team dinners, and recreational outings.
For Looney, who joined the Lakers on a one-year contract following a ten-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, the immersive trip provided an unprecedented look at his new franchise cornerstone. Speaking candidly on sports radio, Looney admitted he had never experienced anything comparable during his long career in the league.
“Sono nella NBA da tempo e non avevo mai vissuto qualcosa del genere,” Looney told ESPN Radio’s Mason & Ireland, describing the unique bonding experience of traveling together to a teammate’s home country.
The excursion extended far beyond traditional hardwood sessions. Doncic organized a comprehensive itinerary that included a two-hour practice at Stozice Arena, rounds of golf, fishing at Lake Bled, local guided tours, and visits to the outdoor courts where Doncic first learned the game as a child. Each player received customized gift bags and traveled via private jet.
The initiative arrives as Doncic prepares for his second season as leader of the Lakers following the departure of LeBron James. During the 2025–26 campaign, Doncic posted averages of 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. Those numbers propelled him to a fourth-place finish in the NBA MVP voting, a First Team All-NBA selection, an All-Star Game appearance, and a 53–29 regular-season record before the team suffered a 4–0 postseason sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In response to that playoff exit, Los Angeles reinforced its roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves—who signed a four-year extension after averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. The front office added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton, cementing a competitive core designed for deep postseason contention.
Looney emphasized that the Ljubljana trip offered teammates a deeper understanding of Doncic’s character away from the spotlight of American arenas. According to reports, the veteran believes the gesture proves how deeply Doncic wants to win and how much he values sharing his roots with the people around him.
“È un grande giocatore e un grande leader. Mostra chi è sul campo, e ora abbiamo visto anche la sua personalità fuori dal campo,” Looney stated, adding that the camaraderie built in Slovenia ensures the locker room stands firmly behind their star. “È stato fantastico. Lo seguiremo e correremo attraverso un muro per lui.”
The Lakers will continue their preparations for the upcoming 2026–27 NBA season as training camps approach, with the newly fortified roster looking to translate the chemistry forged in Ljubljana into immediate success on the court.
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