The 2025-26 season would be the first full season for Luka Doncic with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the blockbuster commerce from the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic has proven glimpses of how good he may be with the LA Lakers.
Doncic was concerned in talks with Marcus Sensible earlier than the previous Defensive Participant of the 12 months determined to maneuver to the Lakers, which proves Doncic may very well be near extending his contract with the workforce.
Whereas there will probably be conversations relating to his future with the workforce till he indicators the extension, subsequent yr additionally occurs to be an essential yr in his profession.
Regardless of all of the accolades he has gained in his time within the NBA, the Slovenian is but to assert the MVP trophy, and Tim Legler believes subsequent yr may very well be Doncic’s flip to win it.
Doncic has 5 All-Star and as many First Group All-NBA appearances in his profession, which is an incredible achievement.
He has been constant together with his numbers as properly, averaging over 28 factors within the final 5 seasons, however his statistics haven’t helped him earn reward within the MVP conversations.
Legler believes that if the participant performs and the Lakers present brilliance, subsequent yr may very well be when Doncic lastly will get his arms on the distinguished trophy.
“Luka Doncic has lots to revive this yr. Like that is the restore tour. If he had been a band, it could be referred to as the restore tour. He’s gotta get again and remind individuals what he was at his greatest.
“If he appears to be like the best way we stated he’s able to probably beginning off the yr and the Lakers leap out of the gate, Luka Doncic will thrust himself in that dialog as properly,” stated Legler on the All-NBA podcast.
Beforehand, Nick Wright acknowledged how Doncic was being unfairly criticized for not reaching as a lot as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and different NBA superstars.
Legler successfully proved Wright’s level right here by insinuating that Doncic requires a “restore tour” subsequent season.
Gilgeous-Alexander gained the MVP trophy final season regardless of Nikola Jokic averaging a triple-double.
Strategies of SGA and Jokic sharing an MVP trophy additionally got here up, as each gamers put up sensible numbers, however ultimately, the OKC Thunder guard gained the award.
| Season | Factors | Rebounds | Assists |
| 2024-25 | 28.2 | 8.2 | 7.7 |
| 2023-24 | 28.1 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| 2022-23 | 33.9 | 9.2 | 9.8 |
| 2021-22 | 32.6 | 8.6 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | 28.4 | 9.1 | 8.7 |
Each gamers will as soon as once more be contenders for the MVP, and Doncic will probably must outplay them to assert the distinction.
He actually has the flexibility to place up nice numbers, however workforce success can also be essential to win the trophy.
The Lakers have made some massive strikes within the offseason, and whereas there are doubts about whether or not they have sufficient to compete within the West, the celebrity duo of LeBron James and Doncic will probably be tough to cease.
JJ Redick’s workforce completed third within the West with 50 wins, and have since added Deandre Ayton and Marcus Sensible, who can each enhance the workforce.
If Doncic is ready to ship his regular numbers and the Lakers go on to win 60 video games or extra, the MVP trophy may very well be the Slovenian’s to win.
