Since his inaugural season in 2018, Luka Dončić has emerged as one of the NBA’s offensive powerhouses. The Los Angeles Lakers star has only improved his game over the years, leading his team to a No. 5 spot in the Western Conference.
But often, only a balanced game with equal emphasis on defense can win championships and earn an NBA MVP award. And according to this former NBA champion, Dončić has a long way to go before he can bag one.
Former NBA Champion Speaks on Lakers Star Luka Dončić’s MVP Chances
Earlier this month, Kendrick Perkins was on the “Road Trippin’ Show”. The former NBA player highlighted Dončić as the “greatest weapon” we’ve seen, placing him second on NBA MVP voting. However, Channing Frye, who was on the discussion panel with Perkins, seemed to disagree. According to the 2016 NBA champion, Dončić’s poor defense prevents him from becoming the second-most-voted-for MVP candidate.
“I don’t think you should be first or second in MVP vote if you’re top five worst defenders in the NBA. I just don’t think so,” Frye said. “He is statistically a top-five worst defender in the NBA.”
Frye did compliment Dončić’s offensive game, calling his achievements ‘stratospheric’. But despite his scoring prowess, Frye doesn’t think it is enough.
“He is timeless and amazing, and we’ll be talking about his offensive game for the rest of basketball,” the 42-year-old said. “He does not put that much energy into the defensive end. Until he’s not top 10 worst defender in the NBA, I don’t have him as one or two. I just don’t respect that part to me.”
Playing his first full season with the Lakers, Dončić is currently averaging 33.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals while averaging 47.1% from the field.
According to ESPN, Dončić is allowing a blow-by on 41% of his drives, making him the fourth-worst in the league. Furthermore, he currently ranks 109th in the league’s effective field goal percentage allowed.
The Lakers themselves are ranked a worrying 25th in this season’s defensive rating, allowing 116.2 points per game. And though the team has been making efforts to better their defense, it might be too late with the 2026 playoffs right around the corner.
Dončić’s Offensive Capabilities Remain the Highlight
Having said that, one can’t divert from how stellar Dončić’s offensive performance has been. Perkins, hyping the former Dallas Mavericks star as a new “weapon”, continued to highlight his game.
That damn boy is a fool. He is a damn fool when it comes down to just being an overall offensive threat. The scoring is easy, but getting the dimes right now, the assists, and last night playing off the ball,” Perkins explained.
Having said that, one will have to wait until the playoffs to deliver a final verdict on Dončić’s campaign. Adjusting to a new team and upping his fluidity in one season, Dončić has only provided fans with hope of a championship — hopefully the first of many in his career.
Following a monster 46-point performance against the Chicago Bulls, Dončić and the Lakers will face the Cleveland Cavaliers next on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
