Luka Dončić Tells Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to 'Do Your Job!' on Roster
The star guard clarified his role, stating he is not interested in front office duties.
Luka Dončić, the 27-year-old centerpiece of the Los Angeles Lakers, has communicated to General Manager Rob Pelinka that he wants the GM to handle roster decisions. Pelinka stated during an interview on ESPN’s “Mason & Ireland Show” that Dončić made his position clear: he is not interested in being the general manager or head coach.
“Luka has been amazing. I feel like we’re co-creators with him,” Pelinka said, quoting Dončić. “He’s a very creative basketball mind. Ultimately, I have the final responsibility to make calls on the roster. 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 [Redick], you’re the coach. Rob, you’re the GM and president. Do your jobs.'"
Pelinka added that Dončić also expressed a desire for collaboration. “But we can co-create. Let’s share ideas. Let’s break down pros and cons and look at all aspects of a potential decision point before we make it,” Pelinka recounted Dončić telling him.
Dončić's input is valued, and Pelinka described him as brilliant and thoughtful. Pelinka noted Dončić's apparent excitement about the current team, referencing footage from a recent minicamp in Slovenia.
The Lakers' offseason moves have faced criticism from some in the basketball community, with many questioning whether the team has done enough to improve the roster. The effectiveness of the team's strategy will become evident when the season begins on October 21.