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Luka Doncic does not need to prove he can carry the Los Angeles Lakers on the court. Averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds last season handled that rather convincingly. The larger question following LeBron James’ departure was whether Doncic could replace the leadership Los Angeles lost.

He is already providing an answer.

Doncic has organized a Lakers minicamp in Slovenia later this month and invited the entire roster. According to Yahoo Sports, 16 of the team’s 17 players are expected to participate.

The only absence will be rookie Cameron Carr, who is required to attend the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program. In other words, nobody is skipping because he would rather spend August fishing or posting workout clips with dramatic background music.

That level of participation says plenty about Doncic’s growing influence.

Luka Doncic is taking control of the Lakers

Organizing a voluntary minicamp does not guarantee the Lakers will compete for a championship. Plenty of teams have enjoyed wonderful offseason dinners before becoming completely sick of each other by Christmas.

This will be the first season in which there is no question about whose team it is. James is gone, and Doncic is the face of the franchise. Every major roster decision must now revolve around placing him in the best position to succeed.

A franchise player cannot merely score 35 points and disappear until the next game. He must create standards, build relationships, and make younger teammates feel connected to the larger plan.

Bringing nearly the entire roster to Slovenia is a strong place to begin.

Lakers need chemistry after another roster overhaul

Los Angeles will enter the season with another collection of new players attempting to become a functional team before the Western Conference leaves it behind.

Walker Kessler gives the Lakers a legitimate rim protector and lob threat. Quentin Grimes should provide perimeter defense, while Collin Sexton adds another aggressive scorer. Head coach JJ Redick now has a roster constructed more closely around Doncic’s strengths.

Making the pieces fit will require time.

A Lakers minicamp gives Doncic and his teammates an early opportunity to work together without the daily chaos that comes with an NBA season. Even if the trip includes more team bonding than five-on-five basketball, that time can help establish trust before official practices begin.

Doncic will also have the chance to start developing chemistry with Kessler. A pick-and-roll combination featuring one of the league’s best passers and a 7-foot shot blocker could become a major part of the offense.

The basketball benefits are obvious. The message behind the trip may be even stronger.

Luka Doncic cannot lead exactly like LeBron

Doncic does not need to imitate James.

LeBron arrived in Los Angeles with championships, global influence and enough power to reshape a roster with one phone call. Doncic is 27 and entering the first season of a new era. His leadership style will develop as the team becomes increasingly his own.

The Slovenia trip feels authentic to him. Instead of asking everyone to gather in Los Angeles, Doncic is bringing teammates into his world. They will see his home country and spend time together away from the usual NBA surroundings.

That will not suddenly make the Lakers a perfect defensive team. It will not fix every weakness on the roster or prevent somebody from becoming unhappy with his minutes.

It does show that Doncic understands what Los Angeles now expects from him.

The Lakers acquired a superstar when Dallas made the baffling decision to trade him. Now they need that superstar to become their leader.