TITLE: Lakers Executives Backed Luka Doncic’s EuroBasket 2025 Appearance, Says Rob Pelinka
SLUG: lakers-executives-backed-luka-doncic-eurobasket-2025
CONTENT:
Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka said the franchise had no hesitation in supporting superstar Luka Doncic’s decision to represent Slovenia at FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
Speaking to ESPN, Pelinka explained the club’s stance after he and team governor Jeanie Buss traveled to Katowice, Poland, on Aug. 27, 2025, to watch Doncic train with the Slovenian national team.
“Luka has a tremendous amount of heartfelt pride and appreciation for his roots and playing for his country,” Pelinka told the network. “In the partnerships we have with our players, the Lakers want to be mindful of players’ passions and who they are as men and then lean in and support those things. So, around Luka, it was a very easy partnership decision that we wanted to support.”
EuroBasket 2025 featured several NBA stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun and Lauri Markkanen. Germany ultimately won the gold medal, while Doncic was widely viewed as the tournament’s standout performer.
Pelinka said he values players participating in organized competition during the offseason, arguing it can be more beneficial than strictly individual workouts. “Players playing basketball in the offseason is something that, from a leadership standpoint, I support,” he noted. “I think you could say in some sense that some of the offseason, especially in the States, is on individual work. And I think that sort of the team environment can get lost.”
Asked about the risk of injury in international play, Pelinka expressed confidence in the 26-year-old guard’s preparation methods. “There’s risk in anything,” he said. “Luka’s incredibly thoughtful about how he approaches his way to improve as a basketball player. You can tell he is the highest form of himself when he is in a competitive environment. That’s just what animates him.”
The Lakers were also encouraged by Doncic’s defensive showing in Poland, where he led all EuroBasket participants in steals.
With the organization fully committed to building around him, Doncic enters the upcoming NBA season backed by management that views his national-team commitments as an asset rather than a distraction.
Source: Lakers Nation
