19-Year NBA Veteran Boldly Compares Luka Doncic to Lakers Legend

Former Chicago Bulls center Tyson Chandler made a bold comparison for Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic

Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers made a shocking move at February's NBA trade deadline, acquiring five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic. Of course, it was the wild decision by the Dallas Mavericks that led to this unbelievable move, and the Lakers simply benefited from it.

Doncic, 26, has been one of the best guards in the NBA since getting drafted in 2018, and his 2023-24 season with the Mavericks was the epitome of domination. That season, Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, finishing third in MVP voting and taking the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance.

Even though the Mavericks lost in the Finals, it was clear that Doncic would get them back there eventually. However, Dallas was ready to move on.

Where does Doncic stack up against LA's legends?

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Lakers are a very historic franchise, with legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal all making their way through Hollywood. And, more recently, LeBron James.

Of course, Doncic has a long way to go, specifically some championships to win, to reach any of those Lakers legends, but he could already be on par with them skill-wise.

Former Chicago Bulls center and 19-year NBA veteran Tyson Chandler has been working as a Mavericks development coach and recently had very high praise for Luka Doncic in an interview with Eurohoops.

"Luka was one of the best players I’ve ever seen on the court and in practice," Chandler said. "Of course, we all see what Luka does in the game, but I’m speaking about practice, because it’s very difficult to impress your peers. Luka does things that I’ve never seen before. That’s difficult. I’ve been around the game for a long time, and there are very few special players that will show you some things that you’ve never seen before."

Luka had an INCREDIBLE performance in his return to Dallas:

✨ 45 PTS (most w/ Lakers)
✨ 8 REB
✨ 6 AST
✨ 7 3PM
✨ 4 STL

The @Lakers clinch a spot in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google! pic.twitter.com/joBwFu6kz6

— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2025

Chandler also compared Doncic to Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

"I would always call him Luka Magic because he reminded me of a European version of Magic Johnson," Chandler continued. "This new age, Luka is his own player, but Magic was the older generation of somebody with a smile that was the killer. They’d come out there and destroy you, win games, but with a big smile. He’s just such a joy to watch, and I love watching him. Nothing but great things to say about Luka."

Tyson Chandler says Luka got Magic vibes and he’s not wrong 😁🎩

👨‍💻 Full interview on https://t.co/2rhDNtHr6p pic.twitter.com/W7mtPo1FLk

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 18, 2025

Doncic is undoubtedly an unbelievable player, and he has the potential to be one of the greatest to ever play. The Lakers lucked out that the Mavericks were even considering trading him away, and now the historic franchise should have many more years of being a championship contender.