2 options, Lakers Doncic is clearly warned by former NBA coach, and his career is at a crossroads

Luca Doncic was traded by the Dallas Mavericks before the 2025 trading deadline and just ended his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Slovenian star led the team to third place in the Western Conference but failed to surpass the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

After a 1-4 defeat in the playoffs, Doncic's future has now become a hot topic for Lakers fans and analysts. There is no sign that he will leave the Lakers after the 2025-26 season, but expectations will be higher for him, especially in his second season.

Doncic scored 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 games in his first season at the Cryptocom Arena.

The goal should be higher next season, as he will have more time to spend with his teammates, and is likely the kind of center he wants to partner most after coming to Los Angeles.

More importantly, if Doncic wants to go further with the Lakers, he has to make some changes. Former NBA coach Sam Mitchell told reporter Vince Goodwell on SiriusXM NBA radio on Saturday that the defender had two options in the 2025-26 season.

"Either he can get back to form, as we expected, to be a professional player," Mitchell said, "because he was embarrassed in that series; or he can return, it looks like this year, and the Dallas are saying him true. For me, Luca is at a major crossroads because now, we can finally see his true strength as an individual and professional player."

Doncic is considered the present and future of the Lakers. His medical team has been warmly welcomed by the Purple and Gold Corps, but this offseason should prove whether the cooperation between the two sides can help Doncic reach the best of his career.

Lakers traded to the Slovenian player to extend their championship window, but they have more work to do to achieve their ultimate goal.