As Dončić enters his first full season with the Lakers, the more pressing question is about his expiring contract. The Slovenian superstar will make a shade under $46 million this season, and he has an opt-out clause for 2026-27 at just below $49 million.

The Dallas Mavericks are suddenly morphing into the Los Angeles Lakers. They now have four former Lakers players and four former Lakers coaches. When general manager Nico Harrison idolizes Kobe Bryant, that can happen.