Requesting “a little time” with the Lakers, Luka Doncic said, “I’m rusty… The legs are still missing.

Luka Dončić is, without question, one of the brightest stars in the NBA today. At just 24 years old, he has already accomplished feats that most players only dream of—racking up triple-doubles, dominating playoff games, and cementing his status as one of the most gifted playmakers the game has ever seen. However, even the most talented players face challenges when transitioning into new roles, new systems, or new teams. And when Dončić joined the Los Angeles Lakers for a brief spell during a preseason exhibition or following a trade scenario, it was clear he was still in the midst of shaking off some rust.

In a candid moment that captured the imagination of basketball fans everywhere, Dončić admitted that his transition into the Lakers’ system was a work in progress. “I’m rusty… the legs are still missing,” he said, highlighting that, despite his undeniable talent, there was still work to be done in terms of getting back into peak physical condition and adapting to a new environment. His self-awareness, paired with a refreshing honesty, opened up an important conversation about the challenges elite players face when adapting to new situations and the necessary time it takes to adjust.

The fact that Luka Dončić, an already established MVP candidate and perennial All-Star, would be adjusting to a new team environment speaks volumes about the unique pressures and expectations of high-level professional athletes. The Lakers, a team with their own set of championship aspirations, would be the perfect case study for how even the best players can face difficulties when they aren’t fully acclimated. In Dončić’s case, the adjustment was not just physical—though he admitted that his legs were not yet where he wanted them to be—but also mental and tactical.

This candid admission about being “rusty” is a crucial part of understanding Dončić’s journey, both as an individual player and as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. It also provides insight into how teams like the Lakers can support such a talent as he makes the transition into their system. For Dončić, this “little time” needed for adjustment represents an opportunity for growth—an opportunity that not only impacts his performance but also shapes the Lakers’ championship ambitions moving forward.

The Physical Component: “The Legs Are Still Missing”

When Luka Dončić says that “the legs are still missing,” he is speaking to a more complex issue than just basic fitness. Professional athletes, especially in the NBA, deal with the intense physical demands of the game on a daily basis. Dončić’s game is predicated on his ability to change speeds, create space, and elevate in the paint—all of which require not only elite conditioning but also the proper timing and rhythm to execute.

At the start of a new season, and particularly in a transition to a new team, players often find themselves dealing with a lag in conditioning. This is especially true for players who may have been through an extended offseason, international competitions, or injury recovery. For Dončić, the 2023 offseason was filled with distractions, such as his participation in EuroBasket and the emotional toll of a tumultuous 2022-2023 NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks. While Dončić had an outstanding individual season, the Mavs’ struggles to build a competitive roster and make a deep playoff run affected him mentally and physically. As a result, Dončić may not have had the time or energy to fully hone his conditioning before stepping into a new environment with the Lakers.

“It’s always tough when you don’t have the full training camp or a full offseason to prepare your body the way you want to,” Dončić explained. “You try to catch up, but your legs don’t always respond the way you want them to.” This is a situation that many athletes face when they’re not operating at 100 percent, and it’s something that can affect their entire game—particularly when it comes to explosiveness and consistency.

In Dončić’s case, it wasn’t about his basketball IQ or skillset. His shooting touch, passing vision, and basketball instincts were intact. But it was the physical side of the game—his conditioning, his speed, his endurance—that needed time to catch up. It’s a common theme in professional sports. Players can be in excellent shape, but the mental and physical rigor required to excel on the court can take time to reacquire.

The Mental Component: Adapting to New Expectations

The mental side of Luka Dončić’s transition to the Lakers is just as complex, if not more so, than the physical. Dončić’s career in Dallas had been one of tremendous individual success, but it was also marked by a degree of dysfunction. The Mavericks had struggled to build a well-rounded roster around him, often relying too heavily on his ability to carry the team. In some ways, this gave Dončić a sense of autonomy and freedom—he was the central figure of every possession, and the offense was entirely built around him.

Now, with the Lakers, the stakes are different. The team already has LeBron James, a generational talent whose leadership and basketball IQ are among the best the game has ever seen. LeBron has been the focal point of the Lakers’ offense for years, and for Dončić to come in and seamlessly integrate into a system that already revolves around James is no small feat. For Dončić, that means adjusting his mindset. While he is still the primary creator on the floor, he must learn to operate within a more collaborative framework where not every possession is about him. This is not easy for any superstar player to adjust to, especially someone as ball-dominant as Dončić.

This shift in mindset can also be compounded by external pressure. The Lakers, as one of the league’s most high-profile franchises, have a unique set of expectations. The team’s championship aspirations are unwavering, and every move is scrutinized by fans and media alike. For Dončić, joining a team with such lofty expectations adds a layer of complexity to the transition. It’s not just about learning to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but about living up to the immense pressure of wearing the purple and gold. This reality can affect a player’s psyche as they navigate new roles, responsibilities, and goals.

Luka’s candidness about needing “a little time” also reflects the mental hurdles he’s working through—finding his place within the structure of a new team, adjusting to expectations, and learning to play alongside superstars without sacrificing his own individual greatness. “It’s not easy to just switch it on and off,” Dončić acknowledged. “But I know I can get there with time. It’s just going to take some adjustment.”

Tactical Challenges: Finding the Right Balance

On the tactical side of things, integrating Luka Dončić into the Lakers’ system requires careful planning. Dončić is a player whose game thrives on the pick-and-roll, isolation, and high-ball screens. While these elements are not entirely unfamiliar to the Lakers, the way Luka operates in these situations is unique. His ability to create offense for both himself and others makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league. However, the challenge for Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is figuring out how to harness Dončić’s strengths while maintaining the flow of the offense, which has traditionally been built around LeBron James’ playmaking.

For the Lakers, this means understanding how to blend two high-usage players—LeBron and Luka—without sacrificing ball movement or offensive rhythm. One option is for Dončić to run the offense when LeBron is on the bench, allowing him to be the central figure without disrupting the flow when LeBron is on the floor. The Lakers might also experiment with lineups where both LeBron and Luka share the floor more evenly, with Luka being tasked with more off-ball duties to relieve some of the pressure on James to create every possession.

The key to making this partnership work tactically is ensuring that both players are involved in the offense while maintaining balance. Dončić has shown that he is capable of playing off the ball, but only when he has teammates who understand how to use him effectively in those situations. It’s a delicate balancing act that will take time to master—something Dončić is fully aware of.

The Role of Anthony Davis and Other Lakers

Of course, the third piece of the Lakers’ puzzle is Anthony Davis. Davis’ presence in the paint provides an entirely different dynamic, and the way Dončić operates in the pick-and-roll with Davis could be a game-changer. If the Lakers can establish a strong chemistry between Luka and AD, the two could become one of the most potent duos in the league. Davis’ ability to roll to the basket and finish, combined with Dončić’s elite vision and passing ability, could create a nightmare for opposing defenses.

The role of the supporting cast—players like Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley, and D’Angelo Russell—will also be crucial. If these players can space the floor and make shots, it will give Dončić more room to operate and help create the kind of dynamic offense the Lakers need to compete for a championship. Redick, in his analysis of Dončić’s fit, also stressed the importance of surrounding him with shooters who can capitalize on the space he creates with his driving ability.

 The Road to Success

Luka Dončić’s admission that he is “rusty” and that “the legs are still missing” is a rare and insightful glimpse into the reality of professional basketball. The physical, mental, and tactical challenges of integrating into a new system are not easy to overcome, even for one of the most gifted players in the league. But with time, adaptation, and the right support from his teammates and coaching staff, Dončić will likely find his rhythm and seamlessly fit into the Lakers’ championship aspirations.

The road ahead for Luka

and the Lakers is full of potential, but it will require patience, flexibility, and a commitment to finding the right balance between individual brilliance and team dynamics. As Dončić himself said, it’s a process—one that will take time but ultimately position the Lakers as a force to be reckoned with in the NBA for years to come.