“Larry Bird Says Lakers Must Go All-In on Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić: ‘If You Want a Title and Legacy, Give Luka a Dominant Center Like Jokić'”
In a surprising twist, Celtics legend Larry Bird has weighed in on the Los Angeles Lakers’ future, and he’s not mincing words. During a recent interview, the Hall of Famer made it clear: if the Lakers want any shot at another NBA title, they need to center their franchise around Luka Dončić—and pair him with Nikola Jokić.
“Luka is the future,” Bird said. “He has the vision, the scoring, the control. But he needs the right pieces around him. And for a championship run, you need a center—not just any center, but a great one. That’s Jokić.”
Bird, known for his basketball IQ and legendary rivalry with the Lakers in the ‘80s, didn’t hold back in his critique of the Lakers’ current roster-building strategy, urging the franchise to think beyond big names and short-term hype.
“If you’re serious about winning, you don’t chase the flash. You build around brilliance. Luka is brilliance. You put someone like Jokić next to him, and not only do you win—it rewrites the history books.”
Bird emphasized that Luka’s legacy is at a crossroads, and it’s up to the franchise that lands him to maximize his greatness—not waste it.
“This isn’t just about the Lakers winning another title. It’s about Luka Dončić becoming a historic name, right up there with the best to ever do it. You surround him with greatness, and he delivers greatness.”
Bird also mentioned how the Lakers have always had iconic duos and big men—from Magic and Kareem, to Shaq and Kobe, to LeBron and AD—but it’s time to go bold again.
“Luka and Jokić. That’s the next great duo. And it should be in purple and gold.”
While fans of other franchises might shudder at the idea, Bird’s take isn’t about loyalty—it’s about basketball sense. If the Lakers want to dominate the next era, the blueprint is simple: build around Luka, and anchor him with Jokić.
