“Championship,” muttered Rob Pelinka when Luka Doncic misheard a reporter’s question on Tuesday and asked for clarification. The reporter’s question was simple: Does the Lakers’ newest superstar have something to prove? Since winning it all in 2020, the Lakers have struggled to stay relevant in the contender conversation. A first-round exit in 2021, the Russell Westbrook trade disaster, and Nikola Jokic running through them in back-to-back postseasons have only made things worse. The Lakers hired JJ Redick to rise to prominence again and they have LeBron with them.

And now with Doncic in the mix, will the Lakers fortune change? The Lakers are hanging onto the fifth spot in the West, but here’s the kicker: they’ve actually been outscored by their opponents this season. The trade sending Anthony Davis to bring in Luka has also left a serious gap in their frontcourt.

But don’t worry LeBron’s there. “Whatever he needs,” LeBron said, referring to his role in helping Luka adjust to life with the Lakers. LeBron’s calm confidence about the partnership with Luka is rooted in his long-standing admiration for the young star. “Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now, you guys know that. And I’ve always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire, you know, the next generation. Luka happens to be one of them, and now we’re teammates.”

When asked about the long-term vision for the team and how Luka’s addition might shift priorities, LeBron responded with his trademark assertiveness. “What’s wrong with that? If I had concerns, I would have waived my no trade clause and got up out of here.” His words are a testament to his commitment, both to the Lakers and to the current moment, emphasizing that the focus is squarely on the present.

“I’m here right now,” LeBron continued. “I’m committed to the Lakers organization. I’m here to help Luka and Maxie make the transition as smooth as possible.” Jeanie Buss can rest easy but not JJ Redick.

But Luka is not 100% healthy yet. Even Reddick believes it’ll take some time for the Slovenian to settle in. Reddick recently touched on the challenge of integrating the 5x All-Star into the Lakers’ system, describing it as “solving that puzzle.” He added “[they] got a little bit of time due to him, not being available, you know, this week maybe maybe Saturday.”

The 25 year old star is recovering from his calf injury and will make his debut soon.

Luka Doncic should be will be suiting for the Lakers soon

Luka Doncic is almost set to make his Lakers debut, and fans can finally breathe easy. After injuring his calf in December, which also ended his run with the Mavericks, the Lakers have been waiting for him to return. Reports say that Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers will be his first game in a Lakers uniform—if everything goes well in practice on Wednesday. If no setbacks occur, Doncic should be good to go.

The Lakers also have back-to-back games against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 10 and 12, before hitting the All-Star break. Those games could give Luka some solid opportunities to get familiar with the squad. After the break, the Lakers will face the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 19, which means Luka will have a few chances to find his footing with the team.

But don’t think the Lakers are just sitting tight. With the trade deadline approaching, they’re gearing up to add pieces that fit with Luka’s game. Expect the Lakers to target a center to replace Anthony Davis and someone who can be a lob finisher for the 5x All-Star. They might also look for a 3-and-D wing.

When Luka steps on the court for the Lakers, the team’s roster might look very different. The King isn’t going anywhere, but other players could be moved to better complement Luka’s playstyle. It’s all coming together, but it’ll be interesting to see what moves LA makes in the next few weeks.