Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

NBA GMs Confused About Lakers Star Luka Doncic's Position

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers made the trade for Luka Doncic in order to have someone run the offense who can create plays for everyone else. That's part of the reason why they ended up trading D'Angelo Russell.

Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA. He's also one of the best ball-handlers in the league because of his ability to make passes than no on else in the league can see.

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While Doncic is usually the primary ball-handler on whatever team he's on, NBA general managers are still unclear what position he actually plays in the league.

GMs Can't Decide What Position Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic Plays

In NBA.com scribe John Schuhmann's annual survey of league front offices before the season starts, GMs gave Doncic votes for being the best point guard in the league, the best shooting guard, and the best small forward.

In fact, Doncic was voted to be the best small forward in the league, while he finished third as the best shooting guard and tied for second as the best point guard.

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The NBA has gotten increasingly positionless in the last few years, so this doesn't really matter. General managers have started just putting teams together that put their best five on the floor.

No matter what position Doncic is actually classified as, he is clearly one of the best players in the league. He is an unstoppable force on the offensive end of the court when he has the ball in his hands.

The Lakers Need Luka Doncic to Play Like One of the Best Players in the League

Doncic plays as the point guard for the Lakers. Regardless of what position he plays, LA needs him to be the best player on the court in most of the games they play.

In order to have any shot of taking down the Nuggets and the Thunder in the Western Conference, they need Doncic to play like an MVP, which is something he could win this year as he goes on a revenge tour.

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.