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The Luka Doncic Lakers preseason opener answered the only question that matters: who runs this offense now?
The answer came fast. In Monday’s preseason game against the Sacramento Kings, Luka Dončić dropped 21 points before halftime — hitting threes, attacking the lane, drawing fouls, and creating in transition — and the Lakers built a 73-47 halftime cushion before Dončić never needed to set foot on the floor again. LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er now. This offense belongs to Luka, and Game 1 of the preseason looked like he already knew it.
Dončić in Midseason Form, and That’s the Problem for Every Other Team
The most telling detail from Monday wasn’t the point total — it was what happened around Dončić. Per Bleacher Report, Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Jake LaRavia all knocked down multiple threes as defenders repeatedly collapsed on the ball-handler. That’s the gravity effect Dončić brings, and it was visible in Game 1 of the preseason. With Walker Kessler (finger) and Austin Reaves (ankle) both out, the Lakers didn’t need either of them to blow out a Kings team featuring Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine. That’s a statement about Luka’s floor-raising ability, not just his ceiling.
Bronny James Isn’t a Scorer — and He Shouldn’t Try to Be
Bronny James finished with 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block off the bench, and I think that line tells you exactly what his role is in year three. He’s not going to be a shot-creator. Head coach JJ Redick gave him second-half minutes to find his footing, and what Bronny delivered was hustle, court vision, and one made three. The three-point shooting is the whole ballgame for him — Dončić will always draw a crowd, and the corners will always be open. If Bronny becomes a reliable catch-and-shoot option who crashes the glass and defends, he has a real rotation spot. If he tries to create off the dribble, he’s going to eat into possessions that should belong to players better equipped to use them.
The Hidden Upside: This Roster Is Built to Survive Luka’s Off Nights
Here’s what the source coverage doesn’t explore: the Dončić gravity effect is a hedge, not just an asset. In seasons past, LeBron’s teams carried a fatal flaw — when LeBron had an off night or needed rest, the offense often cratered because the playmaking dropped off a cliff. The Lakers’ current supporting cast, built around shooters and cutters rather than secondary creators, is actually more resilient to that problem. When Dončić distributes, five guys capable of making open threes get easy looks. That kind of role-player depth doesn’t demand a second star — it demands a great hub. Dončić is an elite hub. The bet LeBron’s old team is making is that you don’t need a co-pilot anymore; you just need a clean runway.
Watch Thursday’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors for the first real test of this thesis — Dončić against a defense built to take away exactly what he does.
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