Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers' Rob Pelinka Says Luka Doncic Could Be 'Best Player on the Planet'

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers made their shocking trade for five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic last season because they believe that he can truly be the face of the franchise for the next decade.

Doncic has already shown that he is one of the best offensive players on the planet. He has to improve on the defensive end of the court, which he has been working on this offseason.

Coming off of EuroBasket, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka really loved what he saw from Doncic. He had some big praise for the star guard after the tournament finished up.

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Pelinka talked with Dave McMenamin of ESPN recently about Doncic. He could not stop praising how good they think he can be.

"Luka's play in EuroBasket made it clear to the entire basketball world that he's on that incredibly short list of 'best player on the planet' candidates, if not at the top," Pelinka said.

Pelinka is also excited for what that means for the rest of the team, too.

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"In terms of team building, we've talked about the importance of having optionality and when I use that word, it's not to say in the future. I think optionality is also in the now," Pelinka said. "Having both Luka as arguably the best player on the planet and LeBron James, who is still in the mix of being one of the great players in our game, even at his age, continues to allow us to think carefully about the value of that optionality."

The Lakers need Luka Doncic to play at an All-NBA level

If the Lakers are going to compete for a championship this season, they need Doncic to play like one of the best players on the planet. He needs to be a first-team All-NBA kind of player.

Not only that, but Los Angeles needs him to be a contender for the MVP. They are counting on him for a lot this season as they try to win one more title before LeBron James decides to retire.

After being traded, 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.