NBA Analyst Predicts Rob Pelinka's Decision on Lakers Potentially Trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg

LA Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is in scorching hot form to open the 2025-26 NBA season. Roughly nine months since the Dallas Mavericks traded him for Anthony Davis, Doncic is in the midst of the best start of his career. The Slovenian is averaging 40.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

“First Things First” co-host Nick Wright said on Thursday that if the Mavericks want to redo the trade, the Lakers would turn it down. (1:10 mark)

"If Nico Harrison today called up Rob Pelinka and said, 'Hey, I'll give you Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg for Luka [Doncic],' Pelinka would say no to that.”

According to Wright, Doncic might still have another level to reach in his game, as the point guard has struggled with his 3-point shooting. This season, Doncic is making 30.5% of his shots from behind the arc after averaging 37.9% in his first few months with the Lakers.

Together with Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic has led the Lakers to a 7-2 record, the second-best mark in the NBA behind the OKC Thunder (8-1).

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Fans react to Nick Wright's prediction that Rob Pelinka will not trade Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg

Nick Wright’s prediction about Rob Pelinka’s stance in a potential Luka Doncic trade for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg caused a stir on social media.

“Nobody in their right mind trades a Luka Doncic. I want Nico in a psych ward,” one fan said.

JayTakes

@SportsWithJay0

@ClutchPoints @FTFonFS1 As he should lol, nobody in their right mind trades a Luka Doncic. I want Nico in a psych ward

pawellwitt

@pawellwitt

@ClutchPoints @FTFonFS1 Come on guys, we know Nico would give up AD and Cooper for Ayton

SuperbiaDR

@SuperbiaDR

@ClutchPoints @FTFonFS1 nah nico would trade AD and Flagg for Knecht

Dontae Spears

@dontae_spears

@ClutchPoints @FTFonFS1 He said it like it was a hot take 🤣 no s**t Nick

EingeLTrade 📈💰 𝕏

@EingeLtrade

@ClutchPoints @FTFonFS1 Pelinka is not retarded, that’s Nico

Doncic said on multiple occasions that he was stunned and hurt by the trade. He cried on the bench when the Mavericks gave him a video tribute on his return to Dallas in April. Doncic said that it would take him time to have closure after believing he would retire as a Maverick.

Since then, Doncic has embraced his place in the Lakers. He worked on his physique and conditioning during the offseason, and it appears to have paid off, as the Slovenian is playing at an MVP level to start the season.