Former NBA guard Sasha Vujacic believes Luka Doncic’s game and presence were beyond what the Dallas Mavericks could handle, saying the Slovenian star belongs in Los Angeles.
Speaking on ESPN LA, Vujacic compared Doncic’s impact to the role once carried by Kobe Bryant. “Not to diss Dallas—but I think Luka’s light and capability were way too big for the Dallas spotlight,” Vujacic said, via HoopsHype. “I think Luka is the perfect guy that we need in L.A. to carry us to that next championship.”
Doncic, who was traded to the Lakers on February 2, has already carved out a significant role alongside LeBron James.
The 26-year-old later delivered one of the most emotional moments of the season when he returned to Dallas on April 9. He was honored with a tribute video before scoring 45 points in a 112-97 win, becoming just the second player in league history, after Wilt Chamberlain, to score at least 45 points both for and against the same team in one season.
For Vujacic, Doncic’s mentality stood out. “I said it a long time ago when I watched him play—there are glimpses I see from Kobe, like in his eyes,” he said. “He plays with a smile, but he wants to kill you.”
While the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in five games. His ability to produce at an elite level despite playing through injuries underscored why many view him as the franchise’s centerpiece beyond James.
In Dallas, the trade that sent Doncic away remains heavily scrutinized. The Mavericks exchanged their franchise cornerstone and two role players for Anthony Davis and future draft capital, a move general manager Nico Harrison defended as part of a defensive reset.
Doncic, however, has embraced the Los Angeles stage. His 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in purple and gold demonstrated why Vujacic believes the Lakers have found their next superstar to lead the team after James.
