It was undoubtedly the biggest earthquake in recent NBA times. On 2 February this year, just a few months after leading the Dallas Mavericks to the Finals, Luka Doncic was vulgarly transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers for what was, on paper, a very disappointing fee. Injury-prone last season, the Slovenian was sacrificed by his franchise, and we're still wondering why.
For the time being, at least in the 28 regular season games played in the Purple & Gold, the job has been done, with high-level stats. But it's in the play-offs that the superstars are expected to shine, and while he raised his game in the post-season, he couldn't get rid of a dry elimination in five games in the first round against the Wolves.
But the Lakers don't care: they have the face of the franchise for the next ten years. And the man who will succeed LeBron James, who will eventually retire There's no doubt that Luka Magic will have the keys to the Lakers truck this season, and there's no doubt that he's going to have a big season on his own. But we're talking about the player who was supposed to rule the league, who was supposed to win the MVP award.
No MVP without a big regular season from the Lakers, and that's not what we've been used to lately. With a roster that raises questions and a king absent for the start of the season, it seems that Luka has to do everything on his own. It is in this role that he has shone the brightest, but it is also in this role that the collective limits have been reached. So, will Luka Magic find the right setting to turn the Lakers into a well-oiled machine?
2024/2025 stats: 28.2 points (30.2 in the playoffs), 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists
Reasonable goal: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, Most Valuable Player candidate