The Los Angeles Lakers' roster is packed with hot trade candidates heading into the 2026-27 season and Luka Doncic does not figure to be one of them. Doncic, fresh off a stern vow for the season, was caught up with in his native Slovenia recently, where he and teammates took part in a pickup game.

Doncic was seen during the pickup game and in the vicinity of media and fellow players. He took a break from the commotion surrounding him to uncork a one-liner for the ages.

“You better pass to me because I run this (f—ing) country,” Doncic was heard saying.

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Doncic's offensive skills were lauded by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who called him the world's greatest offensive player. Doncic is seen as laid-back at times, but has the ability to flip his switch to ultra-competitive mode in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, controversy or doubt brings that side out of Doncic, who has been known to exchange barbs with opposing players and fans regardless of the arena he plays in.

The Lakers have cleared the way for Doncic to become the generational superstar and lead actor Pelinka and others feel he can become. With LeBron James in Philadelphia, more shots, more responsibility and more pressure could be headed Doncic's way.

Like a compelling chapter of a great novel or memorable scene of a famous play on Broadway, Doncic's signature act appears to have arrived. The Lakers aren't expected to win the championship this coming season, but they are expected to compete for one. Whether Doncic can “run” the NBA the way he has run Slovenian basketball remains to be seen, but he will give it his best go starting in October.