Luka Dončić is taking an active role in building the Los Angeles Lakers’ chemistry before the team officially opens training camp.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Dončić has invited the entire Lakers roster to Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August. The gathering is expected to feature organized workouts, golf and sightseeing around Ljubljana, giving players an opportunity to train and spend time together away from the pressures of the regular NBA environment.
Luka Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August, a source close to the Lakers told ESPN. The itinerary will include workouts, golf and some Ljubljana tourism and bonding ahead of training camp.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 29, 2026
The minicamp is significant because the Lakers will enter the coming season with new personnel and a clear need to develop cohesion before training camp. Informal player-led gatherings have become a common way for NBA teams to begin establishing roles, communication and relationships ahead of the official preseason schedule.
For Dončić, the decision also represents a visible act of leadership. Rather than waiting for the organization to bring the group together in Los Angeles, he is inviting his teammates into his own environment and combining basketball preparation with opportunities for personal bonding.
The workouts will be important, but the larger purpose appears to be creating trust. Golf, shared meals and time exploring Ljubljana could allow the Lakers to connect in a more relaxed setting before expectations and scrutiny intensify.
The Slovenia minicamp will not determine Los Angeles’ season, but it gives the roster an early foundation. Dončić is bringing the Lakers together before training camp begins, and making it clear that he intends to help shape the team both on and off the court.
