Luka Doncic
Oct 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play dfirst quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic is entering his second full season with the Los Angeles Lakers since the blockbuster trade in Feb. 2025 and expectations could not be higher for him.
After leading the league with 33.5 points per game last year and finishing fourth in MVP voting, many believe the best has yet to come for Doncic. The Lakers remade their roster around the 27-year-old during the offseason and believe the new additions can help elevate his game to another level.
As expected, Doncic found himself receiving votes for a number of categories in the annual NBA GM Survey. First and foremost, he placed either first or third for the best point guard, shooting guard and small forward in the NBA:
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 67%
2. Jalen Brunson, New York – 20%
3. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 3%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 73%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 13%
3. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
4. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 3%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 37%
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 33%
3. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami; Scottie Barnes, Toronto; Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia; Kevin Durant, Houston
Doncic also finished second behind Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic for best passer in the NBA:
Which player is the best passer?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 87%
2. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana; LeBron James, Philadelphia
When it comes to which player they would want taking a shot with the game on the line, Doncic finished in a tie for third with Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, trailing only Golden State Warriors legend Steph Curry and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks:
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 50%
2. Jalen Brunson, New York – 17%
T-3. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 10%
5. Kevin Durant, Houston – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Nikola Jokić, Denver; Damian Lillard, Portland
Finally, Doncic placed fifth as the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments, which represented a drop from fourth in last year’s NBA GM Survey:
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 47%
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 33%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 10%
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 7%
5. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 3%
Doncic surprisingly did not receive any votes to win the MVP Award this season after finishing second in last year’s survey. The Lakers star almost certainly isn’t concerned about that, but it could also serve as extra motivation as he looks to lead the team’s new-look roster this season.
Luka Doncic pleased with Lakers’ defense in preseason
So far in the preseason, there have been encouraging signs on both sides of the ball for the Lakers. Specifically on defense, Doncic likes how the team is playing, but he knows they still have room for improvement.
“Yeah, I think it’s been very good. I feel like we have a lot of improvement left still, but [Ziaire Williams] and Matisse (Thybulle), what we see from practice going against them, it’s very hard,” the Lakers star said after a recent practice. “Walker (Kessler) hasn’t played yet, so I think we have a lot of room for improvement. But I think it’s been impressive.”