Lakers welcome media day

El Segundo, CA – The Los Angeles Lakers held their media day at their practice facility on the final Monday of September with the aura of the 2025 NBA season being right around the corner. 

It was a few hours of a meet-and-greet pleasantries for players and reporters with Luka Doncic and LeBron James headlining the show before the team loaded up their gear and headed to Palm Springs for training camp.   

Going into his 23rd NBA season, James is the old guard that keeps coming, while Luka has become the face of the franchise as his introduction as the first Laker to speak at the podium on the day would suggest a shift in focal point for the team. 

The lead conversation, of course, centers around James and his longevity. James is the league’s all-time leading scorer and still going strong. In 2024, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game, numbers that would have a younger player blush.  

After more than two decades of playing at a high level, James talked about his long tenure in the league and having to mount up one more round in his ever-growing stature in NBA play.

“It’s pretty cool…I don’t know how many miles I got as far as this game…22 years, now starting 23 years, to still be able to play at a high level, to still be able to still make plays and be respected on the floor, it’s super humbling and gratifying for me personally,” James said. 

“I love to play the game, I love to play at a high level. For me, age is kind of just a number, but it is reality, too. If you look at the history of the game, it’s not been that many guys at my age, or especially going into year 23 that have played at that level like that. I’ve just tried to not take it for granted and just try to give the game, as much as I can, inspire whoever I can.”     

The Lakers officially kick things off in the preseason with a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 3 in Palm Springs. 

The Lakers play two preseason games at Crypto.com Arena-Oct. 12 against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors and then on Oct. 17 against the Sacramento Kings. Luka, LeBron and the rest of the Lakers start the regular season against the Warriors at home on Oct. 21. 

The onus of the Lakers’ success this season rides on the shoulders of Doncic, who was traded to the team last year, forcing Los Angeles to part ways with Anthony Davis. The Lakers finished the regular season in 2024 with an impressive 50-32 record, but wound up getting bounced out of the postseason in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Doncic, who averaged 28.2 points and 7.7 assists last season, is coming into his first full season as a Lakers with high, high expectations. 

With the addition of center Deandre Ayton, there is much anticipation around the team’s newly formed Big Three of Luka, LeBron and Deandre, that this year’s version of the Lakers should be strong contenders for the NBA title, at least be listed as one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference. 

Now that he has been designated as the cornerstone of the franchise, the role of leadership will be the new mantle that Doncic will have to pick up. Doncic thinks he’s ready for that challenge. 

“I think, honestly, I had a great summer, starting right after the season, my practices…started my workouts, then obviously, coming back here signing the extension, having to go with the national teams, and now I’m here, so it all starts again with a fresh mind. So, I’m excited about it,” Doncic said. “

Los Angeles just got a snippet of Doncic last season as Luka played only 28 games for the team. This time around, it will be the full 82 games from here on out with the global star signing an extension to his contract in the offseason.

“Luka is one of the game’s most transcendent players, and his on-court dominance and passion is without compare,” said Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka. “From the moment Luka became a Laker, there was an immediate connection and admiration between Luka and our fanbase. You can feel it in your spirit when you attend a Lakers game. Luka is an absolute killer on the court, and blends that with a unique generosity and care for the community. Above all else, Luka will lead our franchise to pursue future championships, a goal that will forever define the Lakers.”