Luka Doncic Approves of Lakers' Offseason Moves, Praises 'Underrated' Additions

Luka Doncic has voiced his approval of the Los Angeles Lakers' offseason roster adjustments, calling many of the team's new additions "underrated." As the Lakers prepare for their upcoming season, Doncic shared his optimism about the team's potential.

"I like everybody that we signed," Doncic stated during the team's media day. "There’s a lot of underrated guys, a lot of new guys that are underrated. Got to spend some time with them obviously off court. Now the training camp is going to help us a lot, focus on basketball, get to know what they like on the court, but I’m very excited to play with all of them."

The Lakers have brought in nine new players during the offseason. Among the most significant is 7-foot-2 center Walker Kessler, acquired through a trade that sent multiple future draft picks to the Jazz. Doncic specifically identified Kessler as a player he wanted the Lakers to pursue.

"I played a lot of games against Walker, so it was always tough to play against him," Doncic said. "I really wanted him. The organization wanted him, I wanted him, all the players wanted him, so I think it’s an amazing fit for us. Obviously a rim protector, but then offensively he improved so much that he’s going to help us a lot."

Kessler echoed Doncic's sentiment, describing an immediate connection on the court during a team trip to Slovenia. "I don’t even think he was looking at me, and he kind of just threw it and I was there," Kessler recalled of receiving a lob from Doncic. "I mean, I’ve heard a lot of people say that about playing with him. So caught it, dunked it, ran back down, high fived and I was like, ‘yup, I can get used to this.’"

Beyond Kessler, the Lakers also added Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million), and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million), along with Ziaire Williams (one year, $2.8 million) and Matisse Thybulle (one year, $3.3 million). The team also drafted Cameron Carr and acquired Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million) and Jaden Hardy via trade.

Collin Sexton shared Doncic's view that the team is composed of underestimated competitors. "We’re all underrated, if that makes [sense]," Sexton commented. "We’re competitors. I feel like we added people that are willing to compete, and we added guys that [don’t] back down to anyone. I know for myself, I’m somebody that’s not gonna back down to any challenge or not gonna back down to anyone. Whenever I step between those lines, there’s no friends. It’s us versus them. So I know it can look like we’re underrated [at] times."

A crucial move for the Lakers was re-signing star guard Austin Reaves to a four-year, $180 million contract. With LeBron James now with the 76ers, Doncic and Reaves are expected to take on greater leadership responsibilities.

"He improved a lot," Doncic said of Reaves. "He just talks more to a lot of people. Obviously the new players, they look up to him, asking things. So I think he [took] a big step forward."