Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Just 1 Of 20 Insiders Says Lakers' Luka Doncic is Best Player in NBA

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 3:30 PM ET

Luka Doncic has already proven that he is one of the best players in the world in his short NBA career. It's why the Los Angeles Lakers decided to make the move to trade for him.

Doncic has already led a team to the NBA Finals, taking the Mavericks to the Finals during the 2023-24 season. Now that he has made a body transformation, he's looking to be even better.

Despite actually being in the best shape of his career before an NBA season starts, not a lot of insiders believe he will be the best player in the league this year.

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NBA Insiders Don't Believe That Luka Doncic Will Be The Best Player in The League

In a poll sent around league executives by ESPN, just one executive believes that Doncic will be the best player in the world this season. Surprisingly, the other 19 surveyed picked Nikola Jokic.

"While there has been a nip-and-tuck battle for MVP between Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander over the past few seasons -- and our survey projects another -- there was little debate about who the single best NBA player is at the moment. That would be Jokic, as the Thunder star and reigning MVP didn't receive any votes, and only a stray one for Doncic separated Jokic from becoming the first unanimous selection for this honor across the seven years the survey has been conducted."

It's surprising that SGA didn't receive even a single vote after winning the MVP and the championship last season. That should count for something.

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The Lakers Need Doncic to Play Like The Best Player in The League

Despite the lack of faith from executives around the league, the Lakers need Doncic to play like the best player in the league if they want any hope of making a deep playoff run.

The Western Conference is loaded with talent, so the Lakers will need Doncic to take a massive step up on the defensive end of the court. Teams have targeted him far too often.

After being traded to the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. He shot 43.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.