Luka Doncic spared no expense for his Los Angeles Lakers teammates' travel to Slovenia, reportedly chartering a luxurious Bombardier Global 8000 private jet for their journey.
The flight, which spanned approximately 13 hours from Los Angeles to Slovenia, cost Doncic a minimum of $18,000 per hour, according to Slovenian outlet 24ur.com. The total expense for the round trip is estimated to be around half a million dollars, all covered by the player.
Images from the opulent jet revealed amenities for the 14 Lakers players who made the trip, including a lounge area, individual bedrooms with beds, couches, recliner chairs, and televisions.
Upon arrival, the Lakers players were greeted by enthusiastic fans gathered outside their hotel. Among the players spotted were Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Bronny James. Fans held cameras, took pictures, and some held up photos of the players.
Doncic, joined by his daughter Gabriela, visited his teammates after their arrival. The minicamp in his home country is intended as both a work trip and a team-bonding experience, with activities planned such as workouts, pick-up games, golfing, and exploring Slovenia.
With LeBron James no longer with the team, the Lakers are set to rely heavily on Doncic as their primary player. The team has made significant moves in the offseason to support him, including re-signing Reaves to a four-year, $185 million contract and acquiring big man Walker Kessler via a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz for a four-year, $130 million contract. President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka also added Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Matisse Thybulle to the roster.