Overview
- Dončić says the only goal is a championship as he arrives in top shape after a 30-plus-pound cut and a standout EuroBasket.
- Paul George said on Podcast P that Dončić has a chance to be the greatest international player ever, naming Dirk Nowitzki, Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo as benchmarks.
- The Slovenian star led his country to the EuroBasket quarterfinals with tournament-leading averages of 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.7 steals before falling to Germany.
- Los Angeles added Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, re-signed Jaxson Hayes, drafted Adou Thiero and extended Dončić for three years at $165 million, with Rookie Wire listing +1600 title odds and camp opening Sept. 30.
- ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, via Newsweek, flagged limited point-of-attack defense for lineups built around Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves despite Smart’s arrival, with Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent noted as internal options.