Browsing: Doncic

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  Dave McMenaminOct 19, 2025, 07:26 PM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Jaxson Hayes enjoys playing with Luka Doncic so much on the Los Angeles Lakers that the 7-footer is trying to spend his summers playing for the Slovenian national team with Doncic, too.

Hayes said Sunday that his and Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, broached the idea with Hayes about playing for Slovenia even before Doncic was traded to Los Angeles last winter.

The 25-year-old center, who was born in Norman, Oklahoma, said the Slovenian national team allows one naturalized citizen on its roster for international competitions, and Hayes is pursuing a Slovenian passport to occupy that spot.

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Part of Hayes’ motivation was fueled by USA Basketball’s selection process for its men’s national team.

“USA doesn’t do open tryouts,” Hayes said. “And I feel like there are guys they invite to the USA [training camp] that shouldn’t be there. So, I wanted to just play on that stage … I’m going to do whatever it takes to play on that stage.”

Duffy also represented Anthony Randolph, a German-born American player, who became a naturalized citizen and helped Slovenia win gold in the 2017 EuroBasket tournament. Duffy also represented Steve Nash and is a big believer in how Nash’s Canada Basketball experience helped him become a two-time MVP in the NBA.

Doncic led Slovenia to the quarterfinals of the 2025 EuroBasket this summer and averaged 34.7 points per game — the most by a player in a single EuroBasket since Nikos Galis averaged 35.6 points for Greece in 1989.

That Slovenian team had planned to have another American-born center, Josh Nebo, on its roster, but the 6-9, 245-pound big man, who played his college ball for Saint Francis and Texas A&M, bowed out because of an injury.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said he supports Hayes’ interest in the Slovenian team.

Part of Jaxson Hayes†motivation for wanting to play with Lakers teammate Luka Doncic on the Slovenian national team is the USA Basketball selection process and its lack of open tryouts. “I’m going do whatever it takes to play on that stage,†said Hayes. Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

“I looked at my USA Basketball experiences and I had a bunch of them … they were all invaluable to me because you’re learning around great players,” Redick said. “And then, you’re also learning a different way to play, in some ways. The international game is very different. And I think for him, if it ends up happening, getting that connection and chemistry with Luka would be awesome.”

The next major event Slovenia is hoping to participate in is the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha, Qatar. There are six qualifying windows to earn a spot in the event, starting in November, but only two of the windows are outside of the NBA season, making it unlikely that Hayes or Doncic will be significant contributors.

“Obviously, I would love to go represent my own country, but we don’t do open tryouts,” Hayes said. “It is what it is.”

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After slow-playing stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rotating different lineups to accommodate an unreasonably busy six-game preseason schedule and giving their two-way players extended run, the Lakers buttoned up the rotation for a final preseason game Friday that coach JJ Redick called a “dress rehearsal.â€

With the curtain finally lifting on Tuesday, the Lakers are not quite ready for showtime.

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Doncic dazzled with 31 points, nine assists and five rebounds to lead five double-digit Lakers scorers, but the Kings came back for a 117-116 win at Crypto.com Arena. Despite playing without Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozen or Malik Monk, the Kings still shot 54.7% from the field, led by 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from former Laker Dennis Schroder.

Lakers guard Dalton Knecht hit a game-tying three-pointer with 9.4 seconds remaining, but Kings forward Isaac Jones made a game-winning free throw with 0.8 seconds left after he was fouled by Nick Smith Jr.

While Doncic and Austin Reaves (eight points, four rebounds and eight assists) played together in a preseason game for the first time, the Lakers were still without superstar LeBron James, who remains sidelined because of a sciatica issue in his right side. His absence, which is expected to last at least until November, forced the Lakes to re-evaluate their starting lineup.

Redick unveiled his first choice to fill the role, adding guard Gabe Vincent into the starting lineup along with Reaves, Doncic, forward Rui Hachimura and center Deandre Ayton. Vincent, who averaged 17 points in his first three preseason games while shooting 50% from three-point range, continued his incredible preseason with 14 points on five-of-six shooting with four made threes.

Lakers guard Luka Doncic, driving against Kings guard Devin Carter, finished with 31 points, nine assists and five rebounds on Friday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

The 29-year-old who has struggled with injuries the last two seasons played the majority of the preseason without Doncic or Reaves, but fit into the starting lineup seamlessly Friday as a potential solution to James†absence.

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“His ability to shoot the ball in such tight windows; he takes shots that I would never even think about taking in situations,†Reaves said before the game Friday. “… And it can’t happen to a better guy. He’s one of our leaders of this team. Lead-by-example kind of guy. Shows up at work every single day, smile on his face.â€

Marcus Smart, whose preseason got off to a slow start because of Achilles tendinopathy, came off the bench for 14 points with three rebounds. Viewed as a potential starting option after signing as a free agent in the offseason, Smart played 20 minutes without a shot attempt in his preseason debut on Tuesday. Redick lamented that he wished the team could have gotten him a shot in his first preseason action.

On Friday, the key free agent addition was tentative on the offensive end to start. He passed up shots to unselfishly force the ball into traffic. When the Lakers fumbled a transition opportunity, Smart, who had an open lane to the hoop but tried to pass the ball back to a teammate to only turn the ball over, tapped his chest apologetically toward the Lakers bench.

But Smart rebounded for 11 points in the second half. The former NBA defensive player of the year continued his gritty play by diving through the air to intercept a pass. He got going on offense, dancing on the wing, then driving to the basket for an acrobatic layup.

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James wonâ€t be re-evaluated until the last week of October. The teamâ€s initial timeline that he would be re-evaluated in three to four weeks covers the first nine regular-season games. It will be the first time in James†23-season NBA career that he misses the season opener.

The 40-year-old superstar sat at the end of the bench Friday on an elevated seat cushion.

The Lakers were also without Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee). Center Jaxson Hayes, who slammed three monstrous dunks in the first half, didnâ€t play the second half because of a right wrist contusion.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The 2025-26 campaign will be Jaxson Hayes’ first full season playing alongside Luka DonÄić, but the Los Angeles Lakers big man is hoping to take that on-court relationship to international basketball in the near future.

Hayes told reporters Wednesday he is attempting to obtain a Slovenian passport to join the star guard on Slovenia’s national team.Â

NBA insider Marc Stein noted he would become the team’s naturalized player if he is successful.

According to Eurohoops, the Slovenian Basketball Federation released the following statement:Â

“As previously mentioned, we are exploring the possibility of a new naturalized player in the center position. We are aiming to secure this player for a longer period to ensure the team’s stability in the coming years. At this stage, we cannot disclose names or details. Once all matters are finalized and the procedures successfully completed, we will inform the public.”

Hayes is just 25 years old, so he is someone who could play “for a longer period to ensure the team’s stability in the coming years.”

The Texas product got his first experience teaming up with DonÄić toward the end of last season after the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the five-time All-Star via trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

There wasn’t much time to adjust, but they now have some experience and will be starting a new season on the same team. That should lead to notable on-court chemistry, especially since DonÄić is someone who is so reliant on the ability to get into the lane and then throw lob passes to bigs when opposing defenders collapse on his penetration.

He was dominant in Dallas doing that with Dereck Lively II and will surely look to consistently do the same with Hayes.

DonÄić led Slovenia to the quarterfinals of EuroBasket 2025 before losing to a German team that featured multiple NBA players despite scoring 39 points. Adding another NBA player such as Hayes to the roster will help the Slovenian National Team compete in those high-profile tournaments and not be quite so reliant on DonÄić to carry as much responsibility. Â

That player having NBA experience as teammates with DonÄić would only be an additional boost.

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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is pleased with Luka DonÄić’s mindset is heading into the 2025-26 season.

“There’s a ton of excitement for the opportunity to coach the best version of him and get the best version of him on a daily basis,” he told reporters Monday. “And I’ve got to bring that out, it’s a part of my job. I’ve talked to him since day one about that. But he’s in a clear-headed space, his body is really good. He’s motivated by winning. I know this because I talk to him about it all the time. He’s motivated by winning, and if we win at a high level, he will be in that conversation for MVP.”

DonÄić has looked noticeably slimmer since last season, perhaps motivated by the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking decision to trade him and the subsequent reports that they weren’t happy with how he maintained his body.

Like a jilted lover, DonÄić has had a post-breakup glow-up, and the Lakers are hoping he can lead them to a title this season. Even in his previous form he was a menace for opponents, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.2 steals between the Mavs and Lakers last season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three.

The team’s title hopes may ultimately rest on LeBron James’ health and whether they have a good enough supporting cast, but DonÄić seems primed for a big campaign.

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  Dave McMenaminOct 13, 2025, 04:59 PM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Luka Doncic will make his preseason debut when the Los Angeles Lakers play on the road Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, coach JJ Redick said.

Doncic sat out L.A.’s 1-2 start to the preseason, with the Lakers looking to lessen the 26-year-old star’s workload coming off his monthlong commitment playing for the Slovenian national team in EuroBasket.

After the Suns game, the Lakers finish out their six-game preseason slate with a game in Las Vegas against Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Wednesday and a home game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

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Redick said that Doncic would also play in either the Mavs or Kings game. It stands to reason that the Kings game would be more likely, considering the Mavs game falls on the second night of a back-to-back.

Redick said he will work with Doncic’s athletic trainer, Javy Barrio, to determine how much Doncic will play, but the Lakers will err on the side of caution in Phoenix.

“I would say there will most likely be a ramp-up from Game 1 to Game 2 in Luka’s minutes,” Redick said. “What that total number looks like, we’re still talking to Javy and Luka about what kind of makes sense.”

When asked how he planned to use Doncic, Redick deadpanned: “Give him the ball.”

Marcus Smart, who has been out for the first three preseason games because of Achilles tendinopathy, also will make his Lakers debut in Phoenix, according to Redick. The coach added that Austin Reaves will also play against the Suns.

With opening night against the Golden State Warriors just more than a week away next Tuesday, Redick said he still has to figure out his starting lineup. LeBron James will be out at least another two to three weeks with sciatica on his right side before being reevaluated.

“You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible. You also want to have balance with every lineup. When we do our substitution metrics: Who is going to guard? Who is going to create? Are we going to have enough shooting? So you’re doing that with every lineup you put out there, including the starting lineup,” Redick said.

“We’re still working through that, and obviously losing LeBron for the start of the year in some ways complicates things a little bit. So, we have a week to figure that out, and I think it will reveal itself to us.”

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When Luka Doncic plays in his first exhibition game of the season for the Lakers against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, Coach JJ Redick said the plan with his star is pretty simple.

“Give him the ball,†Redick said, laughing.

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Redick paused for a second.

“You talking about minutes?” he asked.

Redick said they are “still working through what that looks like†with the Lakers†staff and Doncicâ€s team.

“I think very likely it’ll be some form of a ramp-up from tomorrow to whenever the second game is that he plays in,†Redick said. “What that looks like in terms of the total minute, I don’t know.”

But one thing is for certain when Doncic steps on the court with his teammates.

“Yeah, he’ll touch the basketball,†Redick said.

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The Lakers then play a back-to-back game Wednesday night in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks, Doncicâ€s old team, but itâ€s highly unlikely he plays in that game.

The Lakers finish their preseason against the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, which is when Doncic probably will play, especially since he said last week that he wanted to play in two preseason games.

The Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors at home and that is the main thing Doncic is getting ready for.

Heâ€s done more in practice, giving his teammates a view of what Doncic is like.

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“Oh, he’s moving great,†Jarred Vanderbilt said. “Everything that I’ve seen from him, he’s being vocal. He’s leading the charge. He’s being everything we need him to be right now. So, we’re happy to have him out there right now during this week, him getting some good practices and running with us, and just starting to build that momentum towards the regular season.â€

Etc.

Redick said Marcus Smart, who has been recovering from an Achilles tendinopathy injury, will play against the Suns. … Redick said Maxi Kleber (quad) participated in the Lakers†stay-ready game Monday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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At some point during the Lakers†preseason, Luka Doncic will play in a game.

The question is when.

Even after being a full participant in practice Saturday, Lakers coach JJ Redick said that Doncic was “TBD†(to be determined) when asked if his star guard would play in Sundayâ€s exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

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Redick said Austin Reaves will play and that Marcus Smart will see action in his first preseason game of the season.

The Lakers will play six preseason games, three of them coming after the game against the Warriors.

After practice, Doncic was asked when he would play.

“I donâ€t know yet,†he said. “We got to talk about it — JJ and my team. So, I donâ€t know yet. But Iâ€m probably going to end up playing two games of the preseason.â€

When the regular season starts Oct. 21 at home against the Warriors, Doncic will not have running mate LeBron James beside him.

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James was diagnosed with sciatica nerve issue on his right side, the Lakers announced to the media Thursday, saying that heâ€ll be re-evaluated in approximately three to four weeks.

James and Doncic formed a great partnership when they played together after the shocking blockbuster trade last February.

Not having James to start the season has to be unsettling for Doncic and the Lakers.

“Itâ€s a big change,†Doncic said. “Heâ€s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be next man up. We got a group of guys that have been practicing and hopefully LeBron can join us as soon as possible. We are going to obviously need him. But our mentality has got to be next man up. Thatâ€s it.â€

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Doncic will get plenty of help from Reaves, Smart, Deandre Ayton, Jared Vanderbilt and others with James out.

Still, the assumption is that Doncic will have to carry a heavy load with James sidelined.

“No. I donâ€t view it that way,†Doncic said. “I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win.â€

James hasnâ€t practiced at all, but Doncic said that hasnâ€t stopped the two of them from figuring out the team can still function at a high level.

“Itâ€s not everything about on the court. Thatâ€s what Iâ€ve been saying,†Doncic said. “Itâ€s about chemistry off the court, too. So, obviously, now itâ€s a little more off the court, but while we watched practices this week, we talked a lot about it.â€

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Lakers keep moving ahead without James

They had known over the summer that James had been dealing with “the nerve irritation,†Redick said, and so it wasnâ€t a total surprise James is going to be out with a sciatica issue.

Redick said James has been on the court “every day†doing individual work. He just hasnâ€t been able to practice with his teammates.

Redick was asked how James’ inability to participate in practice affected his game planning for practice and going into the season knowing that he wonâ€t be available for a while.

” No, no effect on practice planning,†Redick said. “And we haven’t game-planned yet, so, no effect.â€

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Redick had not put too much emphasis on his starting lineup during training camp and during the preseason games.

But with James turning 41 in December, entering his 23rd season and being injured in training camp, Redick was asked if he could foresee having a lineup with James starting and another with him out.

“Potentially. Yeah,†he said. “Something that certainly has crossed my mind in the last couple days. Yeah…You hope that he’s back soon. That’s, those things are, those things can be tricky. So it, I don’t think it’s …

“We knew this going into camp, so it wasn’t like it’s changed anything for how we want to practice or what our philosophies are with the preseason games. It is unclear who’s gonna be, what the starting lineup is gonna be. That’s the reality until he is back. We’ll have to figure that out.â€

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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  Dave McMenaminOct 11, 2025, 05:33 PM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — While LeBron James is expected to be sidelined to begin the season as he recovers from sciatica on the right side of his body, the Los Angeles Lakers’ other superstar, Luka Doncic, said he doesn’t feel compelled to do more in James’ absence.

“I don’t view it that way,” Doncic said after practice Saturday. “I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win.”

So far without James and Doncic, the Lakers are winless in the preseason, going 0-2 against Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

L.A. hosts Golden State in a preseason rematch Sunday, and Lakers coach JJ Redick said it is still being determined if Doncic will play.

Sunday starts a stretch of three preseason games in four days for the Lakers, continuing with a road game against Phoenix on Tuesday and the second night of a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Redick said Doncic would play in two of L.A.’s remaining four preseason games.

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Doncic was a full participant on Saturday after having his workload modified all week to save the 26-year-old guard some wear and tear after he played for Slovenia in EuroBasket this summer.

“I had [the] national team,” Doncic explained. “Playing one month or something of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously it’s a long season ahead, so just because of that.”

Now Redick has his work cut out for him trying to fill in for James while he is sidelined for the next three to four weeks before his sciatica is scheduled to be reevaluated.

“You hope that he’s back soon,” Redick said. “Those things can be tricky. … It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be, that’s the reality, until he is back. We’ll have to figure that out.”

Doncic, guard Austin Reaves and center Deandre Ayton will occupy three of the five spots.

It’s the other two starting spots that Redick will examine, with Rui Hachimura starting 57 of the 59 games he played for L.A. last season under obvious consideration. Jarred Vanderbilt, who has started both preseason games so far and is the healthiest he has been since the Lakers’ 2023 trip to the Western Conference finals and free agent signees Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart give the team different options offensively and defensively.

Smart, who has also been sidelined to start the preseason because of Achilles tendinopathy, will play against the Warriors, according to Redick.

Redick said he has thought about having one lineup and rotation that fits best together when James plays and a separate one for when he doesn’t.

Doncic said he and James have “talked a lot” while observing the Lakers practice from the sidelines during training camp, which has helped with chemistry.

For the time being, all Doncic and the Lakers will be getting out of James during games is what the 40-year-old can provide with his voice from the bench.

“It’s a big change,” Doncic said of having to play without James. “He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be ‘next man up.’ We got a group of guys that have been practicing and hopefully LeBron can join us as soon as possible. We are going to obviously need him. But our mentality has got to be ‘next man up.’ That’s it.”

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Luka DonÄić says the Los Angeles Lakers need to embrace a “next man up” mentality while preparing to start the 2025-26 season without LeBron James.

The Lakers announced Thursday that James, who has not yet participated in training camp, will be sidelined for at least three to four more weeks with sciatica on his right side.

“It’s a big change. He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be next man up,” DonÄić said Saturday (h/t ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).

When asked if James being out will leave him to take on a higher workload, DonÄić answered, “No, I don’t think so.”

While DonÄić’s role might remain similar in James’ absence, at least one Lakers bench player will need to step into the starting lineup alongside Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton.

Head coach JJ Redick said Saturday that the Lakers have not game-planned yet, and that he is not yet sure who will be replacing James in the starting lineup.

“It is unclear what the starting lineup is going to be. That’s the reality, until he’s back,” Redick said Saturday (h/t McMenamin). “We’ll have to figure that out.”

James, who is set to become the first player in NBA history to compete in 23 seasons once he makes his 2025-26 debut, has not played an 82-game campaign since 2018.

Given that it’s likely James will be sitting out games even after he returns from his current injury, Redick will need to be prepared to take on opponents both with and without the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Redick said Saturday that the Lakers could “potentially” plan two starting lineups this season, for both when James is available and when he is not.

At least for now Redick will hope DonÄić can lead the Lakers offense when the regular season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 21 against the visiting Golden State Warriors.

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Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play in the teamâ€s two preseason games this weekend, the team announced after its shoot-around Friday.

Doncic will sit out against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert and against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night in San Francisco.

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The Lakers said it was a collaborative decision made with L.A.â€s performance team because of his time playing for the Slovenian national team in the EuroBasket tournament this summer.

The Lakers said the plan is to be smart with Doncic in the long term as he ramps up for the regular season that opens Oct. 21 against the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

LeBron James, Marcus Smart (achilles tendinopathy), Maxi Kleber (quad) and rookie Aduo Thiero (knee) also wonâ€t play against the Suns.

Doncic played in his last game with Slovenia about a month ago, a game in which he scored 39 points but his squad was eliminated by Germany in the EuroBasket quarterfinals.

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After practice Thursday, Doncic talked about easing his way into training camp while getting ready for the regular season after playing at peak level for Slovenia.

“Yeah, obviously probably take it a little bit slower than the usual,†Doncic said. “ I had a busy summer. I think month, month-and-a-half I was with national team. So, it was kind of a lot. But that got me ready for the preseason and obviously regular season. So, for me, I think it really helps.â€

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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