Victor Wembanyama has proven a critical point with the San Antonio Spurs: Supporting players will match the energy of the superstar. If the franchise player is going all out on both ends of the floor, then those around them will do the same. If they're not, however, then the same can be applied in a negative manner. It's a pivotal truth for Luka Doncic to take to heart ahead of the 2026 offseason.
With a brand new Los Angeles Lakers roster likely to be joining him after a summer of seemingly inevitable change, Doncic will need to set the tone with his effort on both ends of the floor in 2026-27.
Wembanyama is clearly one of a kind as a 7'4" Goliath capable of physical feats that have only previously been achieved in a video game. What's transferrable from one superstar to another, however, is the admittedly intangible act of leading by example.
It's never been more important for Doncic to embrace that responsibility, as seven of the Lakers' nine leading players in minutes per game in 2025-26 are eligible for unrestricted free agency.
It's certainly possible that Los Angeles will bring some or even many players back. They have holes in the roster that no one from the 2025-26 rotation adequately filled, however, and will thus be looking to address those concerns through free agency and the NBA Draft.
Regardless of who's on the roster next season, both the new and returning players are destined to look to Doncic for guidance as the new version of Lakers culture is firmly established.
Luka Doncic must lead by example for new-look Lakers in 2026-27
Players, of course, look to the head coach and the veterans, particularly when LeBron James is in the locker room. The 2026 offseason represents an opportunity to finally build around Doncic, however, who has thus far been playing with a roster that was primarily built for Anthony Davis and James.
It's a perhaps inevitable truth when one considers that the Lakers acquired Doncic in an unexpected trade in February of 2025, but the fact remains that they waited a year-and-a-half for cap space.
As such, the odds simply aren't in favor of Los Angeles simply running it back now that it finally has the maneuverability to build around Doncic. That will likely entail new players entering the locker room and looking for guidance as they adapt to a new environment.
If Doncic shows up and makes it clear that the Lakers' identity is all about intensity, then the other players will have to follow suit.
fIt's a reality that Stephen Jackson spoke about during an episode of All the Smoke. When speaking about Tim Duncan, Jackson noted that he was open to hard coaching from Gregg Popovich because his superstar teammate was. It's just one example of the burden that Doncic will carry in this new environment.
Doncic needs no lessons on how to be great, nor how to guide a team to glory, but with a new roster soon to be joining him in Los Angeles, he must do the same as Wembanyama by setting the tone with his effort.
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