He was the chosen one. Maybe he still is - who knows. But for now, although Luka Doncic remains one of the best basketball players on the planet, there is still no Most Valuable Player award. Nor is there an NBA championship. After eight years in the NBA, nothing is lost, of course, but the clock is ticking.
Since his move to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 - still one of the most incredible trades in NBA history - he has not lost any of his brilliance, at least individually. But he has not fully rediscovered the supporting cast in California that was built around him in Dallas and helped him reach the NBA Finals in 2024.
Some have blamed LeBron James. The King has long been accused of dominating the game, with a usage rate that remains high. That, however, is one of the defining features of Luka Doncic's game. Now that he is the sole leader, with Austin Reaves as his lieutenant and an army of role players at his service, the time has come for him to show his leadership qualities.
We saw him in this setup in Texas, and it produced an NBA Finals appearance. There is little doubt that the Lakers could make a major move at the trade deadline if they look strong enough. Exceptional as a scorer, the Slovenian could chase a few records and could clearly challenge for the MVP award. Almost everything will depend on his performances - and on staying healthy...
2025/2026 stats: 33.5 points on 47.6% shooting, including 36.6% from the three-point range, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds (64 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 35 points, 10 assists, MVP candidate.