Luka Dončić to Host Mini-Camp for Lakers in Slovenia in August

The Lakers became Luka Donćić's team the moment he was traded to the Lakers, but from a leadership perspective he didn't have to fully take on every part of the job, because the team still had LeBron James, and LeBron James is always going to have a significant role in leadership. 

Now LeBron is gone, and there's a big space that needs filling. 

Luka looks ready to increase his activity. Reports, including from The Athletic's Dan Woike and ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Wednesday said that Doncic is footing the bill to bring the entire squad over to Slovenia for four days of mini-camp and bonding. It's an interesting way to bring the group together, and certainly will help his teammates understand Luka in ways going beyond a typical mini-camp you might see in somewhere like Vegas or San Diego, which guys like LeBron have organized in the past. 

It's also a longer commute, so the logistics are kind of fascinating, too. 

But it does put into perspective the question of Luka's leadership, and how he's likely going to need to expand his voice in ways that may not always have been his natural inclination, now that LeBron (and well-respected members of the supporting cast like Marcus Smart) is gone. Austin Reaves will have a role to play here, too, stepping up from the NBA's biggest bargain contract to one where the expectations are heavy. 

Meanwhile, the NBA has a PR problem on its hands, because they can't seem to get anywhere near the end of the Kawhi Leonard/Clippers/Aspiration investigation, which now looks like it could extend into the next calendar year. 

Ooof. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are heading to Slovenia! 

 

SEGMENT 2: Luka and leadership. 

 

SEGMENT 3: The NBA and the Clippers investigation. 

 

Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

 

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