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With LeBron James nearing the twilight of his legendary career, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to Luka Doncic to take the reins. The 26-year-old star is showing exactly the type of leadership qualities the franchise needs, according to longtime friend and Slovenian teammate Edo Muric.
Muric spoke about Doncic’s growth and maturity on and off the court.
“Every year, he’s more vocal and even more patient with the players because he’s coming from a different level than we are,” Muric told The Athletic. “And sometimes (the mistakes), it’s not acceptable for him. Maybe he used to expect too much from us because he comes from another world that we come from, you know? But now as he’s maturing as he’s older, he gets that. And he’s giving us more and more trust.”
That message should resonate with Lakers fans hoping to see Doncic step up as the team’s anchor.
His talent is undeniable, but the question has always been whether he could lead the locker room in the same way James once did.
The Lakers will need that presence after a disappointing 2025 postseason. Doncic’s squad bowed out in the first round, winning just one game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a stunning upset at the hands of Anthony Edwards, and the type of loss that left questions about Los Angeles’ trajectory.
This season provides Doncic with the chance to answer those questions. The expectation is simple: guide the Lakers through a brutal Western Conference and put them in position to make a run next spring. Before the playoffs even arrive, Doncic has to set the tone during the regular season by stacking up wins and establishing the right habits.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see if Muric’s assessment holds true. Los Angeles tips off its 2025-26 campaign on October 21, and all eyes will be on Doncic to prove he is ready to lead the Lakers into the future.
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