Luka Doncic
The blockbuster move that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the NBA world. Many viewed it as a franchise-altering mistake by the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles landed a 26-year-old superstar in his prime. Expectations soared immediately.
One year later, not everyone believes the fit has delivered as promised, per Fadeaway World.
On The Herd, Colin Cowherd questioned whether Doncic has met the physical standard required to thrive next to LeBron James.
“We’re a year into the Luka trade, and it’s still not working out that well,” Cowherd said. “It can’t take this long. And it’s not on 41-year-old LeBron to make it work; it’s on Luka to make it work. Two things can be true: The Lakers stole him from the Mavs, and it was a great trade. Secondly, he is aging quickly. The numbers don’t lie. He gets four times more technicals than dunks. His athleticism is regressing.”
Doncic’s box score numbers remain elite. He averages 32.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three. On paper, that profile screams dominance. Cowherd focused elsewhere. He pointed to lift at the rim, transition burst and overall explosiveness, arguing that the visual impact does not match the raw totals.
“He used to say, ‘Oh, he’s Larry Bird,’ but Bird made All-Defense three times,” Cowherd added. “We’re a year into Luka and the Lakers, and it’s not really working yet. How long can it take? Everybody works well with LeBron. Austin Reaves is not a ball hog; he’s a hard worker, and he’s a shot creator. You can’t work with that?”
Defensive Questions and Chemistry Concerns
The Lakers currently sit fifth in the Western Conference at 34-22. They win games. They compete nightly. Still, they have not separated as a dominant force.
Critics continue to highlight defensive lapses. Opponents hunt Doncic in switches. Teammates rotate to cover breakdowns. He rarely finishes above the rim compared to earlier seasons, and his dunk totals have dipped relative to his technical fouls, a stat Cowherd emphasized. For a franchise that built around championship urgency, those optics matter.
Chemistry also enters the conversation. James has historically elevated ball-dominant teammates. Cowherd argued that responsibility falls on Doncic to adapt quicker, especially alongside a veteran who understands spacing and tempo at an elite level.
Zach Lowe Echoes Frustration
Cowherd has not been alone. On his podcast, Zach Lowe delivered a blunt critique of Doncic’s interactions with officials, Fadeaway World reports.
“The whining is back to peak Dallas levels,” Lowe said. “It’s every f**king play! Just play, man! Not everything is a foul. Are you playing to draw a foul, or are you playing basketball? … It’s completely out of control. It’s unwatchable.”
Lowe still described Doncic as a “literal basketball genius,” capable of generating any shot or pass. Yet he argued the constant protests disrupt rhythm and sometimes cost his team transition defense.
Doncic remains one of the league’s most gifted offensive forces. His production supports that claim. The debate now centers on whether declining athletic pop, defensive engagement and on-court demeanor will cap the Lakers’ ceiling. In Los Angeles, perception shifts quickly. The next stretch may determine whether this partnership silences critics or fuels them further.