All-Star guard Luka Doncic has implored travelers around the world to consider his home country, Slovenia, as their next holiday destination. In his first social media post since the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, Doncic shared a video titled “10 Reasons Travellers Fall in Love with Slovenia.”
Have you been to Slovenia yet?
The video listed Lake Bled, Piran, Postojna Cave, Lipica, Soča Valley, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Velika Planina, Logar Valley, The World’s Oldest Grapevine and the capital Ljubljana as the 10 reasons for visitors to travel to Slovenia.
Luka Doncic to Skip Slovenia Assignment
Doncic will miss an international assignment for Slovenia for the first time this year, as he won’t join his countrymen for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers in July. He is reportedly still rehabbing from the grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered in April, which kept him out of the Lakers’ playoff run. Another reason for Doncic to miss the assignment is his ongoing custody battle over his two daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, as he revealed last week.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life,” Doncic said via a statement. “As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer. Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months.
“I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer. But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority.”
Lakers to Consult Luka Doncic
Even as Doncic remains away from the United States, the Lakers are expected to consult him before every move they make this offseason.
The Lakers will be one of the busiest teams in the NBA this offseason, as they deal with the free agency of key players like LeBron James (UFA), Austin Reaves (Player Option), Marcus Smart (Player Option, Rui Hachimura (UFA), Luke Kennard (UFA), Jaxon Hayes (UFA) and Deandre Ayton (Player Option).
The Lakers could reportedly have nearly $50M in cap space if they re-sign Reaves ($20.9M cap hold) and let their other free agents, including James, walk. The Rob Pelinka-led front office is expected to pursue 3-and-D wings and athletic bigs in an effort to build the perfect roster around Doncic.
According to The Athletic, the Lakers made some assurances to Doncic about building a roster resembling the 2024 Dallas Mavericks squad he took to the NBA Finals.
“The Lakers are on the clock,” one league source told The Athletic.
“Those priorities remain, according to league sources. There is a desire for better center play, true lob threats who mimic the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (with cleaner injury histories). There is a desire for true two-way defensive players, wings with athleticism and energy on the defensive end and a sweet shooting stroke on the offensive side of the ball.
“And there’s a desire to lock in a long-term secondary playmaker next to Dončić.”
Luka Doncic Makes First Social Media Post After Lakers Season Ends