It still doesn't feel quite real that Luka Dončić is a Los Angeles Laker, but here we are. It's been almost a full calendar year since the trade that shook the NBA's foundation, and 'The Don' is looking more comfortable than ever.
Dončić has led the Lakers to a 25-16 record through the team's first 41 games of the season, their best mark since 2021, when they looked like clear favorites to repeat.
This team looks a ways off from competing for a title presently, but yet, Dončić is leading the NBA in PPG and looks individually fantastic.
Today, All-Star starters were announced, and of course, the Western Conference will feature Luka Dončić as a starter.
MORE: Lakers' LeBron James has astounding 21-year streak end with All-Star voting results
With the announcement of the starters, we learned that points per game are not the only metric by which Luka is leading the league.
Luka Dončić setting himself apart as leader among All-Stars
The Western Conference is riddled with MVP candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Dončić.
These are some of the most elite players in the league, and yet, among them, Dončić has bested them in more than just their average scoring. Thanks to the final vote tally, we learned that Luka is a fan and league favorite.
Among all players in the NBA, both in the Western and Eastern Conferences, Luka Dončić led them all in total votes.
Luka Doncic is named an All-Star starter for the Western Conference. It’s his sixth selection in his eight seasons in the NBA. He leads the league with a 33.3 points per game scoring average and was also the leading vote getter among all players in both conferences.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 19, 2026
With All-Star voting, fans detirmine 50% of the vote, while players and the media both equally contribute 25%. By leading all vote getters in the entire league, Dončić is proving that he's not just a fan favorite, but a player who's highly revered amongst his peers and those who cover him.
This is just the start of what looks to be an illustrious career with the Purple and Gold for Dončić. Hopefully, Los Angeles can figure out how to surround him with the requisite talent to take full advantage of his time with the organization.
More NBA news:
Lakers predicted to end failed Dalton Knecht experiment via 'win-win' trade
Deandre Ayton reveals thoughts after joining Wilt Chamberlain in Lakers history
Lakers' LeBron James reaches another 1st-of-its-kind all-time points milestone
LeBron James has officially played against 1/3 of players in NBA history