Content creator Atiga Perez recently tasked Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic with building the perfect NBA player using active players, and the results were interesting. Doncic was allowed to include himself in any of the six categories provided, but decided against doing so.
The first category was ball-handling, and Doncic unsurprisingly went with his former Dallas Mavericks teammate Kyrie Irving. Irving is widely regarded as the greatest ball-handler of all time, and the Slovenian got to witness his magic firsthand.
The next category was shooting mechanics, and that was always going to be Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter we have ever seen. You’d have thought the answer would be obvious when defense was presented as the third category, but it wasn’t for Doncic.
“Currently, I don’t know, honestly,” Doncic said.
There actually isn’t much to think about here. Victor Wembanyama became the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history in 2026. There isn’t a player in the league who’s anywhere near as impactful as Wembanyama defensively. It is quite interesting that Doncic didn’t mention the Frenchman. There might be a little something here.
The fourth category was physicality, and Doncic went with LeBron James.
“It’s incredible to see how he does it,” Doncic said. “He’s 41 and still performing at the highest level, so it’s amazing to watch.”
James is 41 years old but remains a physical specimen. The 2025-26 season was his record-breaking 23rd in the NBA, and he still managed to play at a high level.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Lakers. He broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record back in 2023 and is putting it beyond reach now. Doncic has already made it clear he won’t be playing 20 years to even be in a position to break that record.
With how well James played last season, there is gas left in the tank to carry on for another year or two. He hasn’t confirmed yet, though. whether he will be returning. Even if he does return, there is no guarantee he’ll be a Laker.
James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and there has reportedly been very little contact between him and the Lakers lately. We might have already seen him and Doncic play their last game as teammates.
Getting back to the categories, IQ was the fourth, and Doncic could have gone for James there as well. Instead, he chose Nikola Jokic.
“IQ, right now, Jokic,” Doncic said.
Jokic’s basketball IQ is off the charts. He tends to be one step ahead of the defense at all times and dominates games in a way few others can.
The final category was clutchness, and Doncic went with Curry again. The Golden State Warriors superstar won Clutch Player of the Year in 2024, and you do not want to see the ball in his hands in a big moment if you’re the opposition. He’s going to bury you more often than not.
So, here is what Doncic’s perfect player looks like.
Ball-Handling: Kyrie Irving
Shooting Mechanics: Stephen Curry
Defense: No one
Physicality: LeBron James
IQ: Nikola Jokic
Clutchness: Stephen Curry
Now, Doncic certainly could have picked himself for clutch. The 27-year-old is a solid shout for IQ as well, but decided to show some love to others instead.
