Lakers begin the Luka era

Slovenian star Luka Doncic is preparing to begin a new phase with the Los Angeles Lakers after becoming the team's most prominent star following LeBron James's departure. Doncic returns after a long recovery from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the end of last season, having had more than 200 days to recover and rebuild his physical readiness. With LeBron absent, greater offensive responsibilities fall to him while maintaining his level across an 82-game season, backed by Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler and a training camp in Slovenia. The first test comes on October 21 against the Golden State Warriors.