The NBA world is still reeling from the Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The young superstar guard, at just 26 years old, brought his electrifying game to Tinseltown, instantly raising expectations for a deep playoff run. However, despite a solid start with the Lakers—averaging an impressive 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games—Doncic and the team fell short, suffering a disappointing first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 playoffs. For a player of Doncic’s caliber, that early postseason departure lit a fire that’s been burning all offseason.
Now, as the 2025-26 NBA season looms, Doncic is poised for a monster comeback, and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is calling it: Luka is on a mission to reclaim his dominance and could be the frontrunner for the NBA MVP award. In a bold post on Threads this week, Green didn’t hold back, revealing what many are hesitant to admit: Luka Doncic is hungrier than ever, and he’s ready to take the league by storm.
Luka Doncic is looking to train like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan:
“MJ and Kobe, you know, they really did a lot in their careers. They sacrificed a lot.” -Luka
When a player wants to become elite they think of Mike and Kobe, then they lock in đź”’
Greatness recognizes… pic.twitter.com/ItRUMPuvyQ
— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) July 29, 2025
“Luka is looking like rookie Luka all over again. The Trade has created that hunger again it seems! 🔥🔥,” Green wrote. “Also the perfect year to go win his 1st MVP award. Going right from Euros to training camp. Will already be in basketball shape and can hit the ground running!”
Green’s comments point to something undeniable: Doncic’s trade to the Lakers has reignited the spark that made him a global sensation early in his career. After a 2024-25 season where injuries limited him to just 50 games, Doncic has spent the offseason transforming himself. In a candid interview with Men’s Health, he opened up about his renewed drive: “Obviously I’m very competitive. This summer was just a little different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better. …If I stop now, it was all for nothing.”
Luka Dončić Lakers passing pic.twitter.com/KpxFmihJHV
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) July 29, 2025
This summer, Doncic didn’t just rest on his laurels. He’s been grinding, honing his body and game, preparing for a pivotal year. With EuroBasket kicking off in August 2025, Doncic will enter the NBA season already in peak basketball shape, giving him a head start over the competition. As Green noted, this seamless transition from international play to NBA training camp could be the key to unlocking an MVP-caliber campaign.
Doncic’s numbers last season with the Lakers were already elite, but the Slovenian superstar is setting his sights higher. The combination of his relentless work ethic, the motivation from last season’s playoff disappointment, and the momentum from EuroBasket has all the makings of a historic year. If Green’s prediction holds true, the rest of the NBA should be on notice: Luka Doncic isn’t just back—he’s coming for the crown.
The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a defining one for Doncic and the Lakers. With a full offseason as a Laker under his belt and a chip on his shoulder, the stage is set for Luka to remind everyone why he’s one of the game’s brightest stars. Will he claim his first MVP award and lead Los Angeles to redemption? If Draymond Green’s bold take is any indication, the league might not be ready for what’s coming.