Over the years, the NBA has witnessed some notable bonds between players that extend beyond basketball. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen built a dynasty in Chicago. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade also dominated the court with their inside-out partnership.
Now, Luka Dončić has revealed the teammate he believes he had the best chemistry with, and the answer may surprise many.
Luka Dončić’s Surprising Pick for the Teammate He Had the Best Chemistry With
In a recent episode of the “Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady” podcast, Lakers player Dončić was the featured guest.
At one point, Dončić was asked to name his favorite teammate. He did not hesitate, naming Kyrie Irving as his favorite teammate from his time with the Dallas Mavericks.
“I’ll probably say Kyrie,” Dončić said during the podcast.
Tracy McGrady asks Luka Doncic which teammate he had the most chemistry with —
Luka: “I’ll probably say Kyrie.”
(h/t @LukaUpdates)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 4, 2026
The bond between Irving and Dončić during their time as Dallas Mavericks teammates was significant. It was evident in every game they played together
When Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February last year, Irving was visibly emotional about losing his running mate. His reaction was clear when he said during a press conference that he misses his “hermano.”
One particular moment stands out. After Dončić scored 29 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 2023–24 game, Irving spoke about him at a press conference. He described Dončić as a “big teddy bear” off the court while being a fierce competitor once the game began.
“But, off the court, I knew eventually that I would get him to open up. This guy’s a big teddy bear at times off the court at times. He’s a big competitor. I’ll say he is a teddy bear that likes to compete. At times, I just have to sit back and marvel at his talent and his ability to get outside his comfort zone,” Irving said during a press conference.
Dončić entered the NBA in the 2018–19 season after being selected third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He and Irving first teamed up in February 2023, when Irving was traded to Dallas midseason. In their first full season together in 2023–24, the duo reached the NBA Finals, proving how effective their partnership was.
Currently, Irving is sidelined with an ACL injury that ended his 2024–25 season prematurely. Meanwhile, Dončić is averaging 33.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game, helping the Lakers to a 30-19 record.
In the end, Dončić’s recent revelation is a reminder that even as teams change and careers progress, genuine bonds endure.
