You've probably seen the box score. Or maybe you were scrolling through Twitter—pardon me, X—and saw a highlight of a 6-foot-7 guy bullying a center in the post before whipping a cross-court pass to the corner. It makes you wonder. Honestly, what position is Luka Doncic anyway? If you ask the NBA’s official roster, they’ll tell you he’s a guard. If you ask a random scout, they might say he's a "Point Forward." If you ask the general managers around the league, well, they can’t even agree among themselves.
Basically, the dude is a glitch in the system.
The Los Angeles Lakers traded for him in early 2025 because they needed a primary engine. They moved D'Angelo Russell specifically to let Luka run the show. But here is where it gets weird: in the 2025-26 NBA GM survey, Luka Doncic was actually voted the best small forward in the league. He pulled 40% of the vote in that category. But he also finished second in the "best point guard" voting and third for "best shooting guard."
He’s the only player in the league who is top-five at three different positions. That's not just versatility; it’s a total identity crisis for the record books.
The "Point Guard" Label vs. Reality
Most nights, Luka is bringing the ball up the floor. He initiates the sets. He calls for the screens. In every traditional sense, he functions as the point guard. He’s currently averaging about 8.8 assists per game for the Lakers in the 2025-26 season. That is pure floor general territory.
But look at his frame. He's 6'7" (some listings say 6'8") and weighs in at a solid 230 pounds. Most point guards are chasing him around looking like they’re trying to stop a slow-moving refrigerator with a genius-level IQ. He uses that size to post up smaller guards, which is a classic "big man" move.
Why GMs voted him as a Small Forward
It’s mostly about the math of the roster. When you look at who he’s sharing the floor with—guys like Austin Reaves or Gabe Vincent—Luka often slides into the "3" spot on the defensive end.
- Offensive Role: Point Guard (He has the ball 90% of the time).
- Defensive Role: Small Forward / Power Forward (He guards the corner or the slower wing).
- Rebounding: He’s basically a Center. He grabs nearly 8 boards a game, often out-rebounding the actual bigs.
Kinda makes the whole "position" thing feel fake, right?
The Lakers' New Architecture
Since the trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, the Lakers have leaned into this "positionless" vibe. Coach JJ Redick doesn't seem to care what the lineup sheet says.
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The reality of what position is Luka Doncic is that he's a "Post Playmaking Cleaner." That’s actually his archetype in NBA 2K26, and for once, the video game got it right. He operates from the high post, the low post, and the logo. He’s a one-man offense. If the opponent puts a small guy on him, he goes to the block. If they put a big guy on him, he steps back for a three.
He’s currently putting up roughly 33.6 points per game. You don't get those numbers by sticking to one spot on the floor. He's a hybrid who has effectively retired the idea of "point," "shooting," or "small."
Why the League is Confused
There’s a real debate about whether labeling him a "guard" is actually doing a disservice to how the game is played now. Think about it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a guard. Anthony Edwards is a guard. They play nothing like Luka.
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Luka plays more like a modern-day Magic Johnson or a more perimeter-oriented Nikola Jokić. He’s a "point-everything." In the 2026 season, we’ve seen him start games guarding the opposing team's power forward just to save his energy for the offensive end. Then, on the very next play, he’s the one bringing the ball up against a full-court press.
It’s exhausting just watching it.
A Quick Look at the Numbers (2025-26 Season)
He’s playing about 36.4 minutes a night. His shooting percentages are hovering around 46% from the field and 33% from deep. While the three-point clip is slightly down from his peak Dallas days, his impact on the Lakers' win column is massive. When Luka scores 35+, the Lakers are winning 20 of those games. When he struggles or the team loses, his turnovers tend to spike (he's averaging about 4.6).
What This Means for You
If you’re trying to build a fantasy team or just understand the game, stop looking for the "PG" or "SF" next to his name. It doesn't matter.
The actionable takeaway here is that the NBA has moved toward "roles" rather than "positions." Luka’s role is Primary Ball Handler.
- Don't overthink the defensive matchups. Just because he's "the point guard" doesn't mean he's guarding the other team's fastest player.
- Watch the rebounding. Luka's value comes from his ability to grab a board and immediately start the break. That’s a "Point Forward" trait that changes the game's pace.
- Notice the post-up. He is one of the most efficient post-up players in the league, despite being "a guard."
The next time someone asks you what position is Luka Doncic, the most accurate answer you can give is "the guy with the ball." Whether he’s listed as a guard or a forward, his impact is the same. He’s a 6'7" chess master who happens to be wearing a Lakers jersey.
To get the most out of watching him this season, focus on who he defends. That tells you more about the Lakers' lineup strategy than any official roster ever will. You'll see him floating in the "dunker spot" on defense or roaming the perimeter, proving that in 2026, positions are mostly just suggestions.