Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic announced via Instagram on Tuesday night that he won't be playing for the Slovenian national team this summer, opting instead to maximize time spent with his two daughters.
Doncic is still embroiled in a legal battle for joint custody of his daughters. His Instagram post was an apology to his basketball fans (particularly those in Slovenia) and an assertion that being a father is what's most important to him.
"I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer," Luka wrote. "But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority."
Lakers fans are happy that Luka Doncic is taking the summer off
While Lakers fans are extending thoughts and prayers to Luka during his legal battle, these same fans are also relieved that Doncic will be resting his injured hamstring this summer rather than putting his body at risk during non-Lakers games.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 that may have even been worse than initially reported. Even after the Lakers advanced to the second round of the playoffs, it became clear that Luka wasn't close to returning. LA and Doncic absolutely made the correct decision to keep Luka off the floor, especially considering the fact that the Lakers had no shot to dethrone the Oklahoma City Thunder this year.
A healthy Luka Doncic gives the Lakers contention hopes
With Luka recuperating all summer, it now feels like he has a great chance to enter 2026-27 training camp fully healthy. This is a great development for a Lakers franchise that is fully expected to retool its roster this summer around Doncic.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick will be tasked with preserving Luka's body throughout the regular season. Everything was trending in that direction in 2025-26, and the Lakers exploded in March as one of the NBA's most dangerous teams, but then it all fell apart when Luka and Austin Reaves both injured themselves at the start of April.
When Luka is healthy (and in shape), he's arguably the best offensive player in the world, as well as an NBA MVP candidate. If Doncic can get his body right (and keep it that way), he and the Lakers could be in store for a return to prominence next season.
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