The countdown to the new NBA season is on, and all eyes are on the Los Angeles Lakers. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic preparing for their first full season together, the team is building excitement both on and off the court.
This week, the Lakers rolled out their slate of promotions, giveaways, and tributes, making it clear that the 2025–26 season will be one to remember.
“Presented by Toyota”
In an official release, the team announced: “The Los Angeles Lakers today announced recognitions, game promotions, and fan giveaways for the upcoming 2025–26 Laker season, presented by Toyota. This year marks the Lakers’ 78th season of competition and celebrates 50 years of partnership with Toyota.”
The season tips off October 21 against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, with fans in attendance receiving a commemorative Lakers t-shirt. The home stand continues October 24 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the same team that knocked Los Angeles out of the playoffs in five games last spring.
From Giveaways to a Pat Riley Statue
The promotions run deep this year, with fans set to walk away with everything from long-sleeve t-shirts to Lakers hats, shoelaces, passport carriers, and even a “Girl Dad Hat” nodding to Kobe Bryant’s lasting influence.
But the highlight comes on February 22, when the franchise will unveil a Pat Riley statue outside Crypto.com Arena before a marquee matchup with the Boston Celtics. Riley, who led the Showtime Lakers to four championships in the 1980s, will join the team’s pantheon of legends honored in bronze.
A New Era, A Familiar Core
On the court, the Lakers project a starting lineup of Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Off the bench, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jordan Goodwin, and Maxi Kleber round out the depth chart.
Doncic, who arrived from Dallas last February, averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in his 28 games as a Laker. Now he begins the year in purple and gold with LeBron who turns 41 in December and may be entering his final season.
The King has logged more than 1,560 career games, won four titles, and still averaged 24.4 points last season. If this is his farewell tour, he’ll be doing it alongside one of the brightest stars in the league.
