Los Angeles Lakers guard Jaden Hardy said Luka Doncic has raised his leadership standard as the team opens the 2026-27 season.
Hardy rejoined the 27-year-old after spending the first portion of his career alongside him in Dallas. He described a sharper focus on communication and shared purpose.
“I mean, obviously, Luka’s always been a great leader ever since I’ve been with him. I feel like he’s just taking it to another step with that,” Hardy said. “Just trying to lead this group, have everybody on the same page and having a tightened connection with everybody. So I feel like that’s good and I feel like Luka, he’s always just himself. When he’s out there, he’s going to tell you things and he’s going to try to make you a better player.”
The remarks arrived in preseason, Doncic’s second full year with the Lakers and the first without LeBron James.
Hardy logged roughly two and a half seasons with Doncic after Dallas obtained his rights as the 37th overall pick in 2022. The Lakers completed a trade on July 7 that sent center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Hardy and second-round selections in 2031 and 2032.
Hardy averaged 9.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 15.8 minutes over 57 games last season between Dallas and Washington. He converted 42.4% of his field-goal attempts and 39.7% of his 3-pointers.
In 23 games with the Wizards, the figures climbed to 12.6 points in 20.4 minutes per game.
Doncic produced 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists across 64 appearances in 2025-26 before a hamstring strain sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.
Los Angeles finished 53-29, claimed the Pacific Division and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.
Doncic scored 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range, in 16 minutes of Monday’s 127-103 preseason victory over Sacramento. He sat out Tuesday’s game against Golden State.
The front office reshaped the roster around Doncic, retaining Austin Reaves and landing center Walker Kessler from Utah in a sign-and-trade that cost multiple future first-round picks and swaps.
Kessler, who turned 25 this summer, has posted at least 1.8 blocks per game in prior full seasons and is expected to complement the Lakers’ primary ball-handlers.
Quentin Grimes is the only other player on the roster who previously shared a locker room with Doncic in Dallas, and that overlap lasted half a season.
Hardy, who turns 24 this year, holds a guaranteed deal for 2026-27 with a team option the following season.
