“Looking to Get My Slovenian Passport”: Luka Doncic’s Lakers Teammate Follows Jaxson Hayes’ International Move

A Slovenian Connection

Jarred Vanderbilt arrived in Slovenia knowing little about the country. He left with a new perspective and, potentially, a new passport goal. After spending four days in Slovenia with his Los Angeles Lakers teammates at a minicamp hosted by Luka Doncic, Vanderbilt said he would happily return and joked about obtaining a Slovenian passport.

“The trip was great,” Vanderbilt said, as quoted by the New York Post. “Not gonna lie, didn't know much about [Slovenia] before I came here, but it's definitely a spot I will revisit. I'm looking to get Slovenian passport. We'll see. Might be part Slovenian.”

Essentially Sports also reported Vanderbilt’s comments, noting that he “admitted that the trip changed his view of the country” and that he “would love to revisit” Slovenia. The outlet quoted Vanderbilt saying, “I’m looking to get my Slovenian passport, so we’ll see. It might be part Slovenian.”

Vanderbilt’s remarks come after Jaxson Hayes, a former Lakers center, acquired Slovenian citizenship earlier this year, taking the oath at the Slovenian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and receiving his passport in June. Hayes, who is no longer on the Lakers roster, had opened the door to joining Doncic with the Slovenian national team, according to Essentially Sports.

A Team-Building Trip

The four-day minicamp, hosted by Doncic in his home country, was designed to give the new-look Lakers a chance to bond on and off the court. The trip featured working out, playing pickup games, golfing, and exploring Ljubljana, as reported by the New York Post. Essentially Sports added that the Lakers spent time in both Ljubljana and Bled, with activities including practice, exploring local landmarks, and visiting healthcare facilities, where players met employees, signed autographs, and greeted mothers with newborn babies.

For Vanderbilt, the experience clearly left an impression. His comments, which came after the trip, suggest he got more out of it than just a few days with his teammates, as noted by Essentially Sports. The outlet framed his interest in returning as a sign of the bonding experience’s success, while the New York Post highlighted the trip as evidence of Doncic’s leadership.

A Changing Lakers Landscape

The minicamp came at a time of significant transition for the Lakers. LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency, and the team added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, as reported by the New York Post. The franchise was also sold by Mark Walter for $12.5 billion to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, according to the same outlet.

Amid these changes, Vanderbilt’s role on the team has drawn attention. Essentially Sports reported that during his first 26 games with the Lakers, Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per gameholiday. Last season, those numbers dipped to 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals over 65 appearances. His contract includes a $12.4 million salary for the 2026-27 season and a $13.2 million player option for the following season, the outlet noted.

Trade Speculation and Future Outlook

Vanderbilt has also been linked to trade discussions involving Jonathan Kuminga, according to Essentially Sports, which cited reports from NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggesting that Jaden Hardy, rather than Vanderbilt, could be the more likely Lakers asset involved in a potential deal. The outlet also reported that Atlanta has little interest in taking on Vanderbilt, citing Jake Fischer.

Vanderbilt’s passport comment, while lighthearted, underscores the impact of Doncic’s minicamp on the team’s chemistry. As the Lakers prepare for the upcoming season, the trip to Slovenia appears to have served its purpose—at least for Vanderbilt, who left with more than just a better understanding of his teammate’s homeland.