Daily Fantasy Heat Check #8: Luka Dončić
Luka Doncic is now the Los Angeles Lakers’ top dog, and the Lakers are building around him. Can he take the Lakers to the Western Finals?
The Heat Check series focus on players who are “stat monsters,” producers who are cornerstones of all kinds of fantasy league teams and contests.
2025-2026 SEASON STATS
Luka Doncic
Regular Season Stats
33.5 points per game (47.6% shooting percentage, 36.0% from three)
7.7 rebounds per game
8.3 assists per game
1.6 steals per game
LeBron leaving Los Angeles means that Luka is now the one in charge (in more ways than one). The Lakers have made offseason moves that build around Luka and his skill set–signing Walker Kessler who is a highly efficient P&R screener, and signing Matisse Thybulle to provide perimeter defense, which Luka sorely lacks.
Luka’s numbers last year were still elite even if he was out for a number of games due to injury, and he is expected to perform this year with renewed energy despite some off-court issues that hound him.
Reaves is most likely still the number two option, although Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, and Collin Sexton could help with the scoring load.
If Luka stays healthy, he should be in for an interesting season.
For Laki Play Players: HOT! Luka still posts MVP numbers regardless of the match-up, and Walker Kessler could even boost Luka’s assist count. He is a team-captain material, and should be a priority pick whenever possible.
Traditional Fantasy Players: HOT! Barring any kind of injury, it will be worth it to build a fantasy team with Luka Doncic as a first pick. His stats speak for themselves, and with no more LeBron James, he will probably be the main ball handler and the center of the Laker offense.
