Luka Doncic may be the center of the Lakers’ new era, but he’s not trying to grab the front office keys along with the spotlight.
That was the message Rob Pelinka delivered while discussing how Los Angeles is operating around its new franchise cornerstone. On ESPN LA Radio, the Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager said Doncic does have a voice in roster conversations, but he has also drawn a firm line between offering ideas and making the actual calls.
“I think, you know, Luka has been amazing. I said today, I feel like we’re co-creators with him. That’s kind of because he’s a very creative basketball mind, and ultimately, I have the final responsibility to make calls on the roster.”
Pelinka then spelled out Doncic’s approach in even clearer terms.
“And Luka is very clear, like, ‘I want you to do your job. I don’t want to be the GM.
I don’t want to be the head coach. JJ, you’re the coach.
Rob, you’re the GM and president. Do your jobs.
But we can co-create. Let’s share ideas.
Let’s break down pros and cons and look, you know, look at all aspects of a potential decision point before we make it.'”
“He’s been thoughtful. He’s brilliant. And I think he’s really excited about this group, and I think we saw that with some of the clips and footage we’ve seen from Luka’s little mini-camp in Slovenia.”
Pelinka said the six-time All-NBA First Team selection wants a collaborative setup, one where the Lakers can talk through possible moves and judge how players would fit around him before the front office makes the final decision.
That arrangement matters even more now, with Los Angeles heading into its first full season after the LeBron James era.
After LeBron left for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Lakers reworked the roster around Doncic and Reaves. Their biggest move was landing Walker Kessler from Utah and giving the center a four-year, $130 million contract.
They also brought in several other pieces, giving JJ Redick a younger and deeper group to work with.
A lot of those additions were built to match Doncic’s game. Kessler gives the Lakers a strong lob threat and rim protection, while the team also added multiple perimeter defenders to support a backcourt centered on Doncic and Reaves.
Pelinka said Doncic’s input carries weight because he’s earned it. Doncic put together another huge season, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range. He won the scoring title as the Lakers finished 53-29.
Still, Pelinka’s point was that having influence is not the same thing as taking on every job in the building. Doncic wants his voice heard, but he expects the people hired to build the roster and coach the team to handle their own responsibilities.
For the Lakers, that’s the balance they’re banking on: Pelinka handles personnel, Redick runs the sideline, and Doncic brings the perspective of the superstar everything is being built around.
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Now Reaves is staring at a bigger role in Los Angeles heading into next season, with the Lakers needing more from him on and off the ball. Meanwhile, James heads to Philadelphia on a two-year deal, where the 76ers suddenly look every bit like a superteam alongside Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown, leaving the Lakers to figure out what life looks like without one of the leagues defining figures. [Read more 🡒]