The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new era without LeBron James, but Kevon Looney believes the team already has everything it needs in Luka Doncic.
With James departing in free agency, Doncic has taken over as the franchise’s undisputed leader heading into the 2026-27 season.
The Slovenian superstar has already embraced that responsibility, organizing a team minicamp in his home country during the offseason to help build chemistry among his new teammates.
Speaking after Saturday’s practice, Looney made it clear just how much confidence the Lakers have in their new leader.
“For sure. When you got a guy like Luka going into the game, you feel like you can beat anybody,” Looney said, according to Lakers Nation. “He’s gonna be the best player on the court probably every night that we’re out there and we feel like if we do our job, he’s gonna do his job and he’s gonna finish the game. He’s one of the best closers in the league, so we have the utmost confidence in him and we’re trying to earn his trust so he has the confidence in us as well. It makes our job a lot easier when you know you got the best player on the floor.”
Despite only recently joining forces with Doncic, Looney has spent years competing against the former Mavericks superstar and knows exactly what he’s capable of.
However, watching Doncic operate up close has given the veteran center an even greater appreciation for his abilities.
“I’ve been playing against him for a while, so nothing has really shocked me,” Looney said. “But just seeing it up close every day, his vision, his ability to get to wherever he wants on the court when he feels like it. You kind of know that going against him on the scouting report, but seeing it every day and seeing him do it in practices and in games, it just raises your level of respect for it. And for me as a screener, just getting him open, getting him easier looks. He’s a guy that can create shots for everybody.”
Looney also brings valuable championship experience to Los Angeles as the oldest player on the roster and its only championship-winning player.
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