The LeBron James - Lakers era lasted 2,945 days. In those 2,945 days, LA won a total of one NBA championship. Relative to other Lakers eras, the LeBron era was lackluster in terms of winning.

Now that Luka Doncic is the unquestioned alpha at Crypto.com Arena, there is a renewed sense of hope for many Lakers fans.

The Lakers are far from a favorite to win the NBA title this year, but the 2026-27 season offers a fresh start for one of the league’s marquee franchises.

Doncic took out a full-page ad in the LA Times today, promising Lakers fans that he will stop at nothing to deliver them the 18th championship banner in franchise history.

“Tonight we start our run for a championship,” Doncic’s ad read. “Every player dreams of holding that trophy. To do it for all of your amazing fans would mean everything to us.

“We have a special team.…