The Los Angeles Lakers traveled to Ljubljana, Slovenia, this past weekend for a private team‑building gathering at a venue that functions as both a restaurant and a nightclub. The event, reported by the Slovenian outlet Nedeljski dnevnik, was intended to give Luka Dončić and his teammates a chance to bond away from the public eye.

Strict privacy rules at the venue

According to the outlet, the club enforced a strict no‑photo, no‑video policy. Attendees were required to place stickers over their phone cameras, ensuring the gathering remained confidential. Organizers emphasized that the purpose was purely professional – a business‑style trip to strengthen on‑court chemistry.

Former Playboy model also present

Slovenian model Anja Jenko, who appeared on the cover of Playboy in 2014, was also reported to be in the building at the time. Media coverage focused on her presence, but there were no reports of her interacting with any of the players. The club’s management confirmed that the model’s attendance was unrelated to the Lakers’ activities.

Team‑building focus

Team‑building trips such as this are common in professional sports, allowing athletes to develop trust and communication off the court. The Slovenian press noted that the players “mostly hung out with each other,” underscoring the event’s internal focus. While Dončić has been in the news for personal matters, the Lakers’ staff indicated that the trip was scheduled well before any off‑court headlines emerged.

Why the trip matters for the Lakers

Los Angeles’ franchise is in a rebuilding phase, and fostering cohesion among its young core is a priority for the organization. By taking the team abroad, the front office hopes to expose players to new environments that can strengthen their resolve and teamwork, ultimately translating to better performance in the NBA season.

No official comment from the team

Neither the Lakers nor the venue provided an official statement beyond confirming the private nature of the event. As a result, speculation about the model’s presence has largely been driven by social‑media chatter rather than any substantive link to the team’s activities.

Overall, the Ljubljana outing appears to have served its intended purpose: a low‑key, private setting for the Lakers to work on camaraderie while avoiding the usual media spotlight that accompanies their high‑profile roster.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.