‘Going To Give You Everything We Have’: Luka Dončić Sends Strong Message To Los Angeles Lakers Fans In Full-Page Ad
LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Dončić, entering his second full season with the Lakers, is ready to do whatever it takes to lead LAL to a championship.
“Tonight we start our run for a championship,” Dončić wrote. “Every player dreams of holding that trophy. To do it for all of you amazing fans would mean everything to us. Each of us understands what it means to put on this purple and gold jersey and follow the players who wore it before us. It means so much because of the passion and dedication that generations of you all have shown for this team.
“I see it everywhere. The hats, the flags on cars, the murals. This city has people from all over the world, speaking every language, and the Lakers are the thing that brings everyone together. We have a special team. We know what you expect, and we are going to do everything in our power to deliver it. From the moment I arrived in LA, you welcomed me with open arms. That is something I will never forget. So here is my promise to you: we are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off. But we cannot do this alone. You are the best fans in the world, and we are going to need you. Every game, bring it with us. Let’s go.”
Lakers Have New Team This Season
The Lakers went 53-29 last season. They were the fourth seed in the Western Conference, and Dončić led the NBA in points per game and total points.
However, Dončić suffered a serious left hamstring injury on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder and missed the rest of the regular season and the entire 2026 playoffs.
LeBron James led the Lakers to a first-round playoff series win against the Houston Rockets in six games. Without Dončić, though, LAL was swept by Oklahoma City in the second round.
Austin Reaves missed Games 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Lakers-Rockets series due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. Like Dončić, Reaves got hurt against the Thunder on April 2.
James, argubaly the greatest player in NBA history, left the Lakers in the offseason. The NBA legend signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
After James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told the Lakers that LeBron was not coming back, LAL acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle in free agency.
Along with James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton are no longer on the Lakers. Smart signed with the Rockets, Kennard joined the Phoenix Suns, Hachimura went to the LA Clippers and Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy.
Luka: ‘I Think We’re Very Deep’
The Lakers’ front office collaborated with Dončić on the roster overhaul in the offseason.
Some pundits believe LAL will struggle this season since James is gone, but Dončić thinks the Purple and Gold will be competitive.
“I think we’re very deep, which is very important, especially going to the playoffs,” Dončić said, via Sports Illustrated. “And we have guys that are not afraid. Some of the new guys, I’ve played against. They are not afraid.”
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game last season. He will make $49.5 million this season. The six-time All-Star can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 by declining his 2028-29 player option worth $57.4 million.
A future Hall of Famer, Dončić has career averages of 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the regular season and 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers. He signed a three-year, $160 million extension with LAL last year.
