{"id":151205,"date":"2025-07-20T02:53:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T06:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=151205"},"modified":"2025-07-20T02:53:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T06:53:43","slug":"luka-doncic-turning-into-gm-doncic-to-do-pelinkas-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/20\/luka-doncic-turning-into-gm-doncic-to-do-pelinkas-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka Don\u010di\u0107 Turning Into GM Don\u010di\u0107 To Do Pelinka’s Job"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2013 Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> has been a model citizen since he joined the Lakers<\/a>. Chirping at refs aside, he has shown real growth alongside LeBron James<\/a>. His respect for LeBron \u2014 arguably the greatest player ever \u2014 is expected but still commendable. That growth shows in his commitment to getting to\u00a0\u201c<\/strong>championship shape\u201d<\/strong> <\/a>this offseason. But that\u2019s not the only off-court work he\u2019s done. He\u2019s also busy building a contender around him \u2014 basically doing Rob Pelinka\u2019s job for him. The latest proof? He secured<\/a> Marcus Smart.<\/a><\/p>\n

Luka Don\u010di\u0107 Turning Into GM Don\u010di\u0107 To Do Pelinka’s Job<\/h2>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 Does the GM\u2019s Job<\/h3>\n
\"Luka
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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To be clear, Pelinka is still the GM. But this summer, Don\u010di\u0107 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\u2019s<\/a> departure.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now clear the Lakers didn\u2019t plan to keep Finney-Smith because they wanted cap flexibility for 2026. Still, how they handled it left much to be desired.<\/a> That cap space turned into Deandre Ayton<\/a> and Jake LaRavia<\/a>. Now, the Lakers have landed Smart too.<\/p>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 Recruits Marcus Smart<\/h3>\n

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

Don\u010di\u0107 reached out to Smart and made it clear he wanted him. Sources said Luka pushed hard for the two-way stalwart. This isn\u2019t Luka\u2019s first influential pitch. Ayton joined the Lakers because of Luka.<\/p>\n

Luka Becomes LeGM 2.0<\/h3>\n

LeBron earned the LeGM nickname for his roster influence. Now say hello to GM Don\u010di\u0107. This move is right for L.A. The Lakers front office labeled LeBron an \u201c<\/strong>expiring contract\u201d earlier this summer. This implied that the team didn’t see path to contention for the LeBron-Luka duo\u2014 a wild take when both play at All-NBA levels, even with LeBron nearly 41.<\/p>\n