Expectations are high for Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic coming into the 2025-26 season. After being one of the talks of the offseason for his physical transformation and getting in the best shape of his life, and an exceptional performance at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, the belief is that Doncic will remind the world that he is truly one of the best basketball players on the planet.
That certainly played out in the annual NBA GM Survey as Luka found himself receiving votes in a number of categories. First and foremost the Lakers star came in second to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for who will win the 2025-26 NBA MVP award:
Who will win the 2025-26 Kia MVP?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 67%
2. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 8%
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 7%
Doncic did drop in some categories, however, as he came in fourth in the player who forces coaches to make the most adjustments, a category he won last year:
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 57%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 17%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 13%
4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 3%
Perhaps most interesting is that NBA GMs can’t figure out what position Doncic plays. The Lakers superstar came in as the second best point guard, a category he won last year, but was also voted the third best shooting guard. However, Luka was voted the best small forward in the league, over his teammate LeBron James:
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 73%
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 17%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 7%
4. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana – 3%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 70%
2. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 13%
T-3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 7%
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 3%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 40%
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 20%
3. Kevin Durant, Houston – 17%
T-4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-4. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 7%
It is simply proof of Doncic’s versatility that he ranks so highly in multiple positions and he in fact was got the fifth highest percentage of total votes on all the position questions:
Highest percentage of total votes on position questions
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 19.3%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 18.7%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 16%
4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 14%
5. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 12.7%
Of course there is also a ton of respect for Luka’s overall skillset as he came in second on the best passer question, again behind Jokic:
Which player is the best passer?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 80%
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
3. Trae Young, Atlanta – 7%
4. James Harden, LA Clippers – 3%
There is also a ton of belief in Doncic’s clutch ability and rightfully so as he has had a number of clutch moments in his career and the Lakers’ superstar ranked fourth in the player GMs want taking the last shot with the game on the line:
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 47%
2. Kevin Durant, Houston – 17%
3. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana – 13%
4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 7%
After a “down” season, Luka has built up a ton of anticipation for his first full year with the Lakers and GMs still view him as one of the elite players in the game today.
Luka Doncic organizes Lakers team bonding activity after practice
Luka Doncic has spoken about wanting to grow as a leader and really embracing that role for the Lakers. And that has already been on display as Doncic recently organized a team bonding activity after practice.
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