Luka Doncic wants this Lakers teammate to join him with Slovenia

Luka Doncic isn’t just leading on the court. The Slovenian star is now taking a front-office-style role with his national team, reportedly pushing for Los Angeles Lakers teammate Jaxson Hayes to obtain Slovenian citizenship ahead of next summer’s international window.

Hayes, 25, confirmed during the Lakers’ preseason that talks are underway. Slovenia hopes to have him eligible by next summer’s FIBA qualification games, a relatively quiet stretch in the calendar that could allow the team to prepare for the next major tournament.

Doncic looking for ‘new’ Anthony Randolph

The plan is simple: pair Doncic with an athletic big man who can protect the rim on defense and finish lobs and pick-and-roll plays on offense. If the connection clicks during the NBA season, it could translate into a more dynamic Slovenian lineup.

Slovenia’s blueprint dates back to 2017, when it stunned Europe by winning the EuroBasket championship behind Doncic and American-born forward Anthony Randolph, then with Real Madrid. For a small basketball nation, naturalizing a complementary foreign player proved essential in competing with the continent’s elite.

Doncic’s rise to NBA superstardom has only reinforced that model. To stay competitive internationally, Slovenia needs a naturalized player who can reliably join multiple campaigns and build chemistry with Doncic.

Lessons from last summer’s setbacks

At last year’s EuroBasket, Slovenia reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Germany. However, the team ran into roster troubles when its then-naturalized center, Josh Nebo, was held out by his team. NBA forward Vlatko Cancar also missed the tournament, leaving Slovenia short-handed inside.

The Slovenian Basketball Federation (KZS) now wants to avoid that situation in the future by granting citizenship only to players who can commit long-term. Hayes, currently a Laker, fits that profile both athletically and logistically.

Doncic wants the same inside help in L.A. and with Slovenia

Doncic has been vocal about wanting a traditional rim-running big both in Dallas and now in Los Angeles. His ideal frontcourt partner sets solid screens, rolls quickly to the basket, and creates space for shooters, exactly the type of player Hayes could become for Slovenia.

Previous efforts to recruit players like Daniel Gafford, another of Doncic’s former Mavericks teammates, fell through. Before that, Slovenia leaned on Mike Tobey, a reliable stretch center now with Dreamland Gran Canaria, and Nebo, who brought athleticism but limited shooting range.

Trend continues across European basketball

Naturalized stars remain a driving force in international basketball. In leagues such as Spain’s ACB, holding an EU passport can determine whether a team is allowed to sign a player at all.

For Slovenia, the strategy is clear: find another big man who complements Doncic’s game as Randolph once did. Hayes, a 6-foot-11 center with elite mobility, could be the missing piece that helps Slovenia return to the top of European basketball.

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