Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic Involved in Off-Court Business Move With Former Dallas Mavericks Executive

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 3:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers had hopes of being a contender in the second season of the Luka Doncic and LeBron James pairing, but it hasn’t quite worked out that way.

They are much closer to being a .500 team and are going to need to work a bit of magic to stay out of the Play-In Tournament.

Doncic has done everything in his power to keep the Lakers afloat though, currently averaging 32.8 points per game and sitting squarely in the mix for the MVP award.

While the Slovenian star has enough on his plate in the NBA, it was revealed Tuesday night that he could be involved in a significant off-court venture.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during media day. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson put together an ownership group to acquire a basketball team in Italy, and it was reported that Doncic is part of it.

A report Tuesday via @Gazzetta_it said Donnie Nelson has assembled an ownership group starring Luka Dončić that is closing in on a franchise which could eventually be Rome-based as part of NBA Europe. Italy, of course, borders Luka's native Slovenia. https://t.co/TJBcRf9Igg
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2026

The superstar forward has accumulated nearly $200 million in his career just from NBA contracts, and while he’d have to shell out money initially to purchase a team, it would likely turn into a lucrative investment.

Obviously, Los Angeles brought in Doncic because of his on-court brilliance, but it’s ventures like these that highlight his global influence and draw even more attention and international fame to the Lakers.

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitski was rumored to be part of the ownership group, but he came out and denied the reports despite his deep connection to the franchise. This move also shows just how bonded Doncic was to the old Dallas brass.

Doncic is already one of the best players in the league and a perennial MVP contender, so the purchase of this team would be another impressive mark on an impressive, growing resume.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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