Lakers fear the worst as Luka Doncic adds to chaotic schedule

The blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has far-reaching implications, not just in the NBA but also in FIBA basketball and international competitions. Doncic’s Slovenia is set to compete in the EuroBasket 2025, scheduled from August 27 to September 14.

Doncic to play for Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025

The continental tournament, held across four different venues, is expected to feature Doncic, at least according to Slovenian head coach Aleksander Sekulic.

“Luka has always been clear: he’s willing to help the national team as long as he’s healthy. We’ve never had issues with this, and I don’t foresee any in the future,” Sekulic stated during the final qualification window in February, in which Slovenia, who had already qualified, had nothing at stake.

Doncic has always been available for his national team for major tournaments, although he hasn’t featured in qualification due to schedule clashes with the NBA.

Since winning gold at the 2017 EuroBasket alongside Goran Dragic and Anthony Randolph, the Lakers guard has consistently featured in international championships for which Slovenia have qualified: the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the covid-19 pandemic), the 2023 World Cup, and the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Doncic, as you would imagine, performed exceptionally in all of them. In his continental debut, he averaged 14.3 points. In the following five international tournaments, he never averaged below 20 points, breaking the 27-point barrier in both the World Cup and the last Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Additionally, he has always averaged over 7 rebounds (peaking at 9.7 in Tokyo and in last summer’s Greece qualifier) and more than 6 assists, with the only exception being the 3.6 assists in the EuroBasket eight years ago.

Doncic’s fitness concerns

Although the tournament takes place in the NBA offseason and finishes more than a month before the 2025/26 regular season begins, the Lakers may be nervous about the 25-year-old adding to his schedule.

Doncic has found it increasingly difficult to steer clear of injuries in recent times, with the Dallas Mavericks' surprising willingness to trade him widely reported to be down to their concern over his fitness.

The Slovenian had to wait to make his Lakers debut because of a calf issue and has also missed games due to an ankle problem.

Original article written by José Ignacio Pinilla, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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