Luka Doncic is known for his passing brilliance, whether it be his one-handed lasers in transition, no-look bounce passes through traffic, step-back lobs from the logo. But his most important assist this season may have come before he even stepped on the NBA court.
Marcus Smart officially signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. And according to Smart, the person who made that happen was not a general manager or an agent, it was in fact Luka Doncic.
Luka’s heartfelt assist was more than just a call
“When a guy like Luka calls, checks on you, and says he needs your help, that means something,” Smart said at his first Lakers press conference.