Lakers Staff Sees Defensive Strides From Luka Doncic During EuroBasket
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The Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff came away encouraged by Luka Doncic’s defensive work at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, team sources said.
Watching Slovenia’s surprise advance to the quarterfinals—capped by the Sept. 10 matchup against Germany in Riga, Latvia—club officials noted quicker footwork, improved lift and sharper reads from the 26-year-old guard, who played through a lingering calf strain late last NBA season.
Doncic topped the tournament in scoring at 34.7 points per game and in player efficiency rating at 36.6. He also ranked second in assists (7.1) and first in steals (2.7), the latter statistic drawing particular attention inside the Lakers’ building.
Assistant coach Jordan St. Jean compiled a defensive video reel and shared it with Slovenia head coach Aleksander Sekulić, arguing that Doncic had been the national team’s best defender. The edit highlighted proper positioning, vocal communication and persistent effort—traits long considered secondary to the All-NBA guard’s offense.
Dallas cited defensive concerns when it traded Doncic to Los Angeles at February’s deadline, but the former Maverick slimmed down over the summer, a change Lakers staffers believe has boosted his stamina and ability to jump passing lanes.
General manager Rob Pelinka entered the offseason intent on building a competitive roster around Doncic while preserving salary flexibility; only four of the club’s 15 contracts are guaranteed beyond 2025-26. Since then, Doncic has signed a three-year extension with Los Angeles and logged a standout international showing that reinforced the organization’s plans.
Source: LakersNation.com
