For eight years, the answer to “whose team is this?” in El Segundo was simple. On Monday, it changed out loud. At Lakers Media Day, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves stood in front of the cameras as the unquestioned leaders of a franchise that no longer has LeBron James, and both made it clear they are ready to carry it. Doncic called the moment “a new challenge” and said he feels “honored.” Reaves explained that he plans to lead in a way that looks nothing like his old teammate. Training camp opens today, Tuesday, September 29, and the most important storyline is no longer about who arrived this summer. It is about who is in charge.
This piece is about the two guards now running the locker room, what they said on Monday, and why their different leadership styles might be the Lakers’ biggest advantage in 2026-27.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves Step Into the Post-LeBron Spotlight
James signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, ending his run in purple and gold. That leaves Doncic as the clear focal point and Reaves as his right-hand man. Doncic did not treat it like a burden.
“It’s like a new challenge. I like challenges,” Doncic said Monday. “I wouldn’t say I feel different, but I would say I feel honored.” He added that leadership is not new territory for him: “I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me. But I feel great. I feel excited. I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
JJ Redick had already set the tone at his preseason press conference last week. “Yeah, I mean, this team is their team,” the coach said. He also revealed who has been driving the work since the group returned from the offseason: “Austin has been the leader in the gym every single day.”
Doncic Enters Camp With No Restrictions
The biggest health update of the day belonged to the franchise player. Doncic has not played in an NBA game since April 2. A left hamstring strain cost him the final five regular-season games and the entire playoff run. He rehabbed in Europe this summer and said he opens camp without limitations.
“I had a lot of time, just taking it slow, not taking no risks,” Doncic said. “But right now, I’m feeling great. I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
Before the injury, Doncic won his second scoring title in three seasons at 33.5 points per game, finished third in the league in assists at 8.3, and averaged 7.7 rebounds. The three-year, $165 million extension he signed last year kicks in this season. But he appeared in just 64 games, and Reaves played only 51. For a team trying to build chemistry in a hurry, availability may be the most valuable stat of all.
Reaves Will Lead His Own Way
Reaves is now the longest-tenured Laker, entering his sixth season after arriving as an undrafted two-way player in 2021. He is coming off career highs of 23.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and signed a new long-term deal this summer. He is not going to imitate anyone.
“People lead in different ways,” Reaves said. “I’m not someone who’s going to sit out here and scream at people. I like to talk to people one-on-one, have real conversations that way. People will never feel like I’m trying to embarrass them in front of people.”
He went further: “I’m not going to lead the same way Bron does. I’m not going to lead the same way Luka does… There will be times where I need to speak up in group settings, and I’ll do that when the time comes. But I think you just got to be true to yourself and do what’s comfortable for you.”
Doncic has noticed the growth. “He improved a lot,” he said of Reaves. “He talks more to a lot of people. Obviously, the new players, they’re gonna look up to him, ask him things. So, I think he did a big step forward.”
The Slovenia Trip Is Already Paying Off
Doncic took his first big step as the team’s leader in August, when he hosted his teammates in his native Slovenia. We covered the trip when it was announced in our look at the Slovenia minicamp. The players golfed, bowled, rowed and played pickup games, and the bond showed on Monday.
Reaves reminded everyone who won. “We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” he said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first-place trophy for once.”
Doncic had a comeback ready. “I beat him in golf two days ago,” he said, before admitting, “He gave me some strokes, I’m not going to lie — as he should.”
Jake LaRavia explained how the two stars split the leadership job. “They get along so well that it’s kind of easy for them to co-lead this team — in different ways sometimes,” LaRavia said. “I think sometimes Luka leads by example and we watch him and we watch how he goes about himself. AR can sometimes be a bit more vocal.”
Nine New Faces Need Two Steady Voices
The leadership question is not abstract. The Lakers have nine new players among the 16 on NBA contracts, a group that includes Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Jaden Hardy. Doncic likes what he sees. “I like everybody that we signed,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of underrated guys.”
He was especially direct about Kessler: “I really wanted him.” Kessler, for his part, said he feels “110%” and recalled catching a no-look lob from Doncic in their first scrimmage. “I can get used to that,” he said.
“LA is a different beast,” Grimes said. Reaves sees helping newcomers handle that noise as part of his job. “Every day, something is gonna come out about us,” he said. “One second, you’re gonna be the best team in the world and the next, you lose two in a row and you’re the worst team… It’s all about what goes on in these walls.” He added a promise for the fan base: “This team’s going to be resilient.”
Watch: Lakers Media Day 2026
Hear directly from Luka, Austin and the rest of the roster in the Lakers’ official Media Day video:
What Comes Next in Training Camp
Media Day delivered the words. Camp now has to deliver the proof: Redick must settle the final starting spots and Kessler must build timing with both guards. For more, revisit our breakdown of Kessler and Redick’s new defense.
The good news for Los Angeles is that its two most important players sound aligned. Doncic leads by example. Reaves leads in quiet one-on-one conversations. Different styles, same goal. As Doncic put it Monday, “I can’t wait just to start.” Starting today, he doesn’t have to.
Watch the full Media Day video above, and stay with InfanityTV for daily Lakers coverage.
