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Luka Dončić Turning Into GM Dončić To Do Pelinka’s Job

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Frederick Okocha | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 2:53 AM ET

LOS ANGELES – Luka Dončić has been a model citizen since he joined the Lakers. Chirping at refs aside, he has shown real growth alongside LeBron James. His respect for LeBron — arguably the greatest player ever — is expected but still commendable. That growth shows in his commitment to getting to “championship shape” this offseason. But that’s not the only off-court work he’s done. He’s also busy building a contender around him — basically doing Rob Pelinka’s job for him. The latest proof? He secured Marcus Smart.

Luka Dončić Turning Into GM Dončić To Do Pelinka’s Job

Dončić Does the GM’s Job

Jan 9, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) smiles after scoring against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

To be clear, Pelinka is still the GM. But this summer, Dončić has helped the Lakers improve without giving up draft equity. They did it using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception made available by Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure.

It’s now clear the Lakers didn’t plan to keep Finney-Smith because they wanted cap flexibility for 2026. Still, how they handled it left much to be desired. That cap space turned into Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. Now, the Lakers have landed Smart too.

Dončić Recruits Marcus Smart

Hours after Luka vowed to chase titles in L.A., he backed it up with action. Guard Marcus Smart agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards and plans to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news.

Dončić reached out to Smart and made it clear he wanted him. Sources said Luka pushed hard for the two-way stalwart. This isn’t Luka’s first influential pitch. Ayton joined the Lakers because of Luka.

Luka Becomes LeGM 2.0

LeBron earned the LeGM nickname for his roster influence. Now say hello to GM Dončić. This move is right for L.A. The Lakers front office labeled LeBron an “expiring contract” earlier this summer. This implied that the team didn’t see path to contention for the LeBron-Luka duo— a wild take when both play at All-NBA levels, even with LeBron nearly 41.

Clearly, Luka disagrees. He has recruited Ayton and Smart to prove it. Sources told ESPN that Dončić personally called Smart to say he wanted him on the Lakers.

Smart Can Elevate the Lakers Again

Smart will have a player option for 2026 free agency — a chance to cash in big. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and made three All-Defense first teams.

He’s been in the wilderness since the Celtics traded him. Injuries limited him to 54 games over two seasons, including a finger injury last year. He averaged a career-low 20 minutes in 2024-25.

But a healthy Smart boosts L.A.’s perimeter defense. If he finds his 2022 form again, the Lakers could be a team on the rise in the West.