Lakers’ Luka Doncic Receives Major Shade From NBA Legend

The Los Angeles Lakers executed a highly surprising trade by acquiring superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in the previous NBA season, but this move did not translate into playoff success, as the team was swiftly eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves after making it to the postseason.

Ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Lakers are under increased pressure to secure victories, with Dončić having had a full offseason to adapt to Los Angeles and the team bolstering its roster by adding Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and young wing Jake LaRavia to enhance their talent pool.

While many believe Dončić can lead the Lakers to an NBA Finals victory due to his status as a top star, there are doubts about his capability, notably from NBA legend Scottie Pippen, who expressed skepticism in an interview, questioning whether Dončić's playing style can replicate his previous Finals success and pointing out the team's shortcomings in that appearance.

In his 28 games with the Lakers post-trade, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range, highlighting his individual performance but underscoring that championship success requires a strong supporting cast rather than reliance on a single player.

Ultimately, while Dončić possesses the talent to serve as a franchise cornerstone and potentially guide the Lakers to an NBA Finals appearance and win, achieving this will depend on the team providing him with adequate help, as his abilities alone may not be sufficient to secure a title.