Lakers' Luka Doncic Named International Face of NBA by Dwyane Wade

The Los Angeles Lakers season ended abruptly. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated L.A. in a gentleman sweep fashion. It was not the outcome many expected. This series against Minnesota exposed a ton of weaknesses and flaws by the Lakers, which they surely will address this summer.

The Lakers have many issues to address, but they have the most challenging part covered: a young superstar named Luka Doncic, who is set to carry the franchise for the next decade or so.

The Dallas Mavericks gift-wrapped Doncic to the Lakers in early February. It was the most shocking and stunning trade of all time, and the Lakers appear to be the winners in the long run.

Although Doncic could leave for free agency after next season if he does not sign an extension, many expect the 26-year-old to stay in L.A. and sign with the purple and gold.

Doncic has proven to be one of the top players in the league, and according to NBA Hall of Famer and three-time champion Dwyane Wade, he believes Doncic is the international face of the league.

“I know who the international face is, his name is Luka Doncic.” @DwyaneWade discusses the business side of the Luka-Lakers trade. pic.twitter.com/HMPrCo5eDU
— Wy Network (@wynetwork) May 3, 2025

"This is a business," said Wade. "So I looked at it, and I was like, 'billionaire business.' We're talking about the Los Angeles Lakers, and so we sit here at the end of the season, and we look at it, and we're like, 'well, number one jersey sales. Who is it? Luka Doncic. Team, number one in jersey sales, Who is it? The Los Angeles Lakers. And so when we talk about building a face, who's the face? Well, I know who the international face is, and his name is Luka Doncic. And it's not that he wasn't there when he was in Dallas, but it really is because he is with the Lakers."

Doncic has already established himself as one of the NBA’s brightest stars, and while his rise began in Dallas, the spotlight of Los Angeles offers a stage where he can elevate both his brand and legacy.

He's already a generational talent, but to cement his place among the all-time greats, leading a franchise like the Lakers to multiple championships could be the defining chapter of his career.

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