The Los Angeles Lakers have signed six free agents since they traded for Luka Doncic in Feb. 2025, and the only two moves that worked were directly a result of the superstar. Doncic recruited Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton to come to Los Angeles after their buyouts. It was number 77 who sold Smart on the idea. Luka shares an agent with Ayton and has been asking for a starting center since the trade went down. Rob Pelinka made the other four moves with questionable results.
After trading for Luka, Pelinka signed Jordan Goodwin and Alex Len. Goodwin had a strong close to the season, but the Lakers had to waive him to sign Marcus Smart. Len was Pelinka’s answer at center, and he couldn’t even get on the floor over Jaxson Hayes. The big man was so bad that head coach JJ Redick went small rather than playing Len.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Pelinka signed Jake LaRavia and Nick Smith Jr. to give the Lakers depth. The Lakers would love to move on from both players. Pelinka overpaid for LaRavia and signed another score-first specialist guard. Luka deserves the credit for LA’s free agent signings because the moves he makes work.
Luka Doncic deserves more credit for Lakers’ free agency wins than Rob Pelinka
Doncic has a say in the decision-making and is not afraid to recruit talent. He is arguably the best offensive creator in the world. Luka led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and the conference finals in 2022. Role players want to play with him, and Doncic isn’t afraid to convince them.
The Lakers don’t get Smart and Ayton without Luka. Pelinka would have signed more players with one standout skill that offer nothing else. His signings before Luka’s arrival were Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood. Pelinka missed on Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker, and the entire 2021 veteran-filled offseason. Fans won’t forget the disastrous Gabe Vincent deal or the choice of Talen Horton-Tucker over Alex Caruso. Pelinka’s talent evaluation skills are a problem.
Los Angeles needs Doncic recruiting talent if the Lakers are going to build a serious title contender around him. The last thing they need is another score-first player who doesn’t fit. Luka wisely went hard after Smart for his stout perimeter defense. He found a center capable of finishing inside. Those moves weren’t perfect, but the purple and gold had limited flexibility.
The Lakers should let Luka take the reins in free agency recruiting. He knows what players fit around him and is a powerful recruiter. The franchise can handle the logistics, but Doncic should be at the front of the pitches. He has earned that right after convincing Smart and Ayton to play for the Lakers.
Luka Doncic deserves more credit for the Los Angeles Lakers free agent signings than Rob Pelinka. The general manager’s track record is questionable. He loves role players with one standout skill, but those don’t help teams win in the playoffs. Pelinka needs to step back and let Doncic take over. That is the key to landing a couple of difference-makers and contending in 2027. Expect Luka to keep making pitches, and don’t be surprised when he has success.
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