Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

‘Worth Flying’ – Rob Pelinka Shows Strong Support for Luka Doncic As Lakers Executives Travel to Poland for EuroBasket Action

Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka traveled to Poland this week to attend Luka Doncic and the Slovenian national team’s final practice before their EuroBasket campaign kicks off on Thursday. The visit was intended to make a clear statement of support for Doncic’s participation with his country.

Pelinka highlighted the significance of the trip, saying, “We just wanted to make a statement to Luka that we support what he does for his country. That’s really important to the Lakers when we have a player that’s the face of our franchise, just to show that support for him.”

Despite Luka Doncic experiencing a minor knee scare during Slovenia’s warm-up schedule, Pelinka explained that the organization has no concerns about his involvement in the tournament.

Jeanie Buss & Rob Pelinka flew to Poland to support Luka Doncic 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/WVMWsfR0S2
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 27, 2025

He added that witnessing Doncic’s approach in person showed his readiness for the NBA season ahead. “And it’s just great to see him with his teammates, interacting, having fun. He is in great shape, really committed to working hard this summer. To be able to watch that in person was worth flying over the ocean to come be with him,” Pelinka said.

Buss and Pelinka were joined by other members of the Lakers’ leadership group. This including Kurt and Linda Rambis and director of player performance and health Dr. Leroy Sims. Together, they watched Slovenia prepare for its opener against host Poland in Katowice.

Billboard Dispute Follows Doncic’s Overwatch 2 Collaboration

Off the court, Luka Doncic recently collaborated with Overwatch 2 to promote the video game’s new Stadium Mode in Season 18. The campaign featured Doncic alongside his in-game persona, Sharpshooter 77, and was rolled out in Dallas with a prominent billboard.

The Mavs weren’t happy with the Luka Dončić Overwatch billboard in Dallas — ownership forced it to be moved after saying it was too close to the arena, per @ArashMarkazi 😅 pic.twitter.com/cjXeMcccCC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 27, 2025

However, the Dallas Mavericks were displeased with the placement of the advertisement. According to The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi, team executives forced the company behind the promotion to relocate the billboard, citing its proximity to the arena as an issue.