Doncic said he was ready to start pursuing what many of the team greats did before him in Los Angeles

After signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic said he was ready to start pursuing what many of the team greats in Los Angeles did before him: Win the championship.

"We have everything we need to compete for the championship," Doncic said in a press conference today. “I’m going to try to win every game anyway, and we have some new great players on our team, so you know we’re going to go all out.”

renewal includes a final year player option to keep Doncic, 26, in Los Angeles until at least 2028.

Doncic ended in his first-half season with the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks in February. In addition to his physical improvement, the team's changes since that loss were also reflected on Saturday. Buyed out players DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart - both of them recruited by Doncic in Portland and Washington after they were bought out. Second round picks Adu Tielo, plus Hachimura Shizuki, Gabe Vincent, Jaxon Hayes and Maxi Cleber were there too.

Another Lakers superstar, LeBron James, was absent from the press conference and went to play golf

40-year-old James posted a video of himself on his golf course on his Instagram account, working on his offseason hobby, and there are nearly two months left before the Lakers’ training camp. James decided to choose the final year of his contract with Los Angeles for $52.6 million in late June, predating Doncic's renewal, and there have been some mysteries ever since.

Pellinka has been interviewed by reporters for the first time today since James made his decision, showing off the team’s ongoing partnership with the 2020 Finals MVP, hoping that James will retire with the Lakers. James scored 24 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in the 2024-25 season with a shooting percentage of 51.3%. If Doncic's confidence in the championship is to be fulfilled, it will be an important existence. Pelinka vowed to continue working to make the team better while detailing the addition of Ayton, Smart and free agent Jack Laravia.

"We like the upgrades we were able to make to the list," Pelinka said. "But we will never be satisfied. I think every year we are in an endless loop trying to improve this team and win the championship, and we will continue to work on that.

Doncic's off-season slimming success this season will surprise each team at two goals

From Doncic's favorite Balkan music playing through the speakers of the training facility, to a pop-up photo gallery installation showing snapshots of his career, to a press conference when attendees walk into the gym, the Lakers make it clear that the team's current and future priorities are their new 1.65 $100 million players.

"Six months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers chose Luca Doncic through a trade, and he came to our team," Pelinka said. "Today, Luca Doncic chose the Los Angeles Lakers, a milestone moment in Lakers' history. We really appreciate your choice of this partnership. The best young basketball players in the universe join in for the long-term future, the best sports franchise in the world.