There are many expectations for Luka Doncic ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. It’s the first time he won’t play alongside LeBron James since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since he arrived in LA in 2025, he has shared the court with James.
This year, he will be the clear No. 1 option and leader. Former NBA player Sasha Vujacic believes that the upcoming regular season will be Doncic’s best. As long as he stays healthy, the two-time champion thinks the six-time All-Star has what it takes to win MVP.
“He’s got that killer in him, and he just wants to play basketball,” Vujacic said. “So I think this is going to be the best season yet for him. He’s just getting warmed up.
“He’s got that killer in him, and he just wants to play basketball,” Vujacic said. “So I think this is going to be the best season yet for him. He’s just getting warmed up.
Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
“I think that he will have an MVP kind of season as long as he stays healthy. I saw him yesterday. He looks incredible, in the best shape probably since he got to the NBA. So I think this will be the season that we will see the real Luka Doncic.”
“I think that he will have an MVP kind of season as long as he stays healthy. I saw him yesterday. He looks incredible, in the best shape probably since he got to the NBA. So I think this will be the season that we will see the real Luka Doncic.”
Last season, Luka Doncic had a chance to win MVP. However, the eventual winner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, together with Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, had more votes. Doncic finished fourth in the voting. The Lakers star had 0 first-place votes and was the only player in the top five to not receive a single first-place vote.
Health will be a major factor in Doncic’s campaign to contend for the MVP. He missed the final five games of the 2025-26 regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He also missed the entire postseason.
Losing Luka Doncic to a hamstring injury was one of the worst things to happen to the Lakers last season. He was the team’s leading scorer and primary ball handler. Not having him in the lineup led to several adjustments, especially in the playoffs.
During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Doncic took the blame for his injury.
“When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn,” says Doncic. “I felt a little bit in the first half that I should have just stopped. I should have come out. I think we had a team that could compete for the championship. I definitely regret it.”
“When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn,” says Doncic. “I felt a little bit in the first half that I should have just stopped. I should have come out. I think we had a team that could compete for the championship. I definitely regret it.”
Heading into the next season, Doncic told fans that he’s “100 percent” healthy and ready for the 2026-27 NBA season.
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