Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Luka Doncic
The basketball world was stunned on the night of Feb. 1 when the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off what has to be called the trade of the century. They dealt superstar big man Anthony Davis, emerging 3-and-D wing Max Christie and a future first-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks for young, generational superstar guard Luka Doncic.
The Lakers had seemingly gone stale for a few years leading up to that trade, and their future after LeBron James' inevitable retirement or departure looked bleak, as Davis was creeping further into his 30s. But now, Lakers mystique has been restored by the arrival of Doncic, who is 26 years of age and perhaps not even in his prime yet.
While he did well with the Purple and Gold, he still has lots of room for improvement.
Luka Doncic's season stats
In 28 regular-season games with the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals a game while shooting 43.8% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range and 79.1% from the free throw line.
In the first round of the NBA playoffs, Doncic averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals a game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.8% from 3-point range and 89.1% from the free throw line.
Overall Analysis
Doncic immediately made things so much easier on everyone once he made his Lakers debut. He instantly became their main facilitator and decision-maker in their set offense, which allowed LeBron James to conserve his energy and play off the ball. He also made life easier for Austin Reaves, whose scoring and shooting efficiency sprouted upward soon after Doncic's arrival.
The Slovenian made L.A.'s offense a lot more dynamic by giving it a third player who can score big points while creating opportunities for others. Before his debut, the team averaged 112.8 points a game and had an offensive rating of 114.4, but after his debut, those numbers rose to 114.3 and 115.9, respectively.
He made a habit of getting off to fast starts. He averaged nine points a game in the first quarter this season, which was third in the NBA. But he put up just 5.3 points a game in the fourth quarter, which ranked 42nd.
Much has been made of Doncic's lack of fitness and conditioning, which is likely a factor in his reduced offensive production late in games. Of course, it is also likely a reason he has been deficient as an on-the-ball defender. Interestingly, the Lakers had a defensive rating of 111.5 when he was on the floor, which was better than their 113.8 overall defensive rating for the entire regular season.
He struggled in the first round of the playoffs when they got ushered out in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He shot above 45% in just two games, and he didn't play up to his standards in the fourth quarter. Minnesota was also able to lower the number of assists he had — he mustered one assist in Game 1 and two in the pivotal fourth contest.
What's next for Doncic?
One thing the Lakers need to do this offseason is get Doncic signed to some sort of long-term contract extension. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season, which means he's just one year away from being able to become a free agent.
While there has been some anxiety about whether he will stay put beyond next season, there have been some indications that he does want to be a Laker for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, it looks like Doncic has slimmed down. This is a very good sign, especially since training camp for next season is still over three months away.
Overall grade: B-plus
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
As The Lakers Sell For $10 Billion, A Jerry Jones Cowboys Value Question Is Raised
As The Lakers Sell For $10 Billion, A Jerry Jones Cowboys Value Question Is Raised originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Forbes magazine named the Dallas Cowboys as the most valuable of the 32 NFL franchises, putting Jerry Jones' team's number at $10.1 billion. Advertisement Forbes magazine is wrong. The Los Angeles Lakers just set the record for the largest sale of a sports franchise ever, with Mark Walter, Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, buying the crown jewel of the NBA for $10 billion. Walter, according to Bloomberg, has a net worth estimated at $12.5 billion. That's as big as it gets ... and yet with all due respect to basketball and the Lakers? That's not the NFL. And that's not the Cowboys. It all leads to a most natural question, though, as it relates to the NFL ... If the Lakers are worth $10 billion ... Advertisement What are Jerry's Cowboys worth? We could start here, going back to the Forbes evaluation. In August 2024, the outlet pegged the Lakers as being worth $7 billion. Then comes the sale at $10 billion. That's a 43-percent jump from that original valuation. Now, before we do the same exercise, know that the idea of Jones selling "America's Team'' is fantasy. (And to Jerry's critics, a delightful one.) He has spoken to us numerous times about how this is a "family business'' and that his children and grandchildren and future heirs will "own the Cowboys long after I'm gone.'' As Jerry has said to us: "The Cowboys are simply not for sale. Ever. Advertisement Jones, 82, has recently overseen a very subtle change in that regard. His adult children are Stephen, Charlotte and Jerry Jr., and increasingly, when their names are in the news, they are referred to as "co-owners.'' A family business. Back in 2018 - when the Cowboys were valued at $5 billion, he spoke to Bloomberg about a scenario in which he "had to sell the team,'' and said, "I wouldn't accept anything less than $10 billion.'' Again, this isn't happening. But ... maybe if he "had to sell'' the number would once again be double the valuation, so ...$20 billion, maybe? Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 for $150 million - which was a record at the time. His stewardship has build him and family an empire ... one that can't be matched even by what just happened with the Lakers. ... Advertisement And one that's not going to change, no matter the criticism from those who wish Jerry Jones would change his mind about selling. Related: Jerry Jones Gives Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 400-Percent Raise Leaving One Major Question Related: Should Cowboys' Dak Prescott Be A Running QB In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Pushes Micah Parsons To Join Cowboys' Rival
Kevin Durant Pushes Micah Parsons To Join Cowboys' Rival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Basketball superstar Kevin Durant is the newest high-profile professional athlete to join a team in Texas. Advertisement Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets Sunday in exchange for a massive haul of young players and draft picks. The 10th all-time leading scorer in the NBA now joins his fifth team and adds some serious star power to the trio of hoops teams in the Lone Star State. Some NBA Texas residents already include Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Alperen Sengun, and others. But let's not forget, Texas runs on football. And no team draws eyeballs like the Dallas Cowboys, especially with their roster also filled out with superstar players. Among the most popular is edge rusher Micah Parsons, who at just 26, has already ascended up the ranks of the best defensive players in the NFL. Advertisement At the Fanatics Fest event in New York City, Durant ran into Parsons just moments after hearing the news of his trade. KD, a native of Maryland and a loyal Washington Commanders fan, tried to assist his hometown NFL team with some light-hearted tampering, saying Micah might play for a different team one day. Not only is it a nightmare to envision Parsons playing for anyone other than "America's Team", but him joining one of the franchise's longest standing rivals would shake Cowboys Nation to the core. While speaking with Kay Adams, Parsons crashed Durant's interview, to which KD responded by throwing a lob about the Commanders and the rest of the world. Advertisement "I think [Parsons] will be a Commander at some point in his career," Durant said. "I would say two years from now." Parsons, who of course, isn't officially signed long-term with the Cowboys as he waits for a contract extension that could set a non-quarterback record, didn't immediately strike down the idea. That's even scarier for Cowboys fans to hear. Micah's response: "Yo ... I only rock with Dan Quinn. You know what I mean?" Quinn orchestrated a complete 180 for the Commanders in his first year as head coach last season, taking a four-win team to the conference championship game. In 2023, Quinn was the Cowboys defensive coordinator and had built a strong relationship with Parsons. Advertisement We appreciate the loyalty to his former coach, but Cowboys fans hope Micah's loyalty runs deeper with his team, regardless of who the coach is. His contract extension is now in the hands of the higher-ups (hello Jerry!), but all signs point to Micah wanting to stay in Dallas. As we wait for things to be official, Durant stirring the pot isn't helping Cowboys fans make it through this process any easier. Related: Cowboys' Micah Parsons 'Richest-Ever' Contract Update Revealed by Insider Related: As The Lakers Sell For $10 Billion, A Jerry Jones Cowboys Value Question Is Raised This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NBA insider has bad news regarding Lakers' interest in Walker Kessler
With the NBA Finals now over and the Oklahoma City Thunder crowned as champions, the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans can fully turn their attention to the task of addressing the team's multiple roster needs. First on the Lakers' to-do list is acquiring a starting-caliber center. According to one reporter, they may have made a trade offer for Walker Kessler, an emerging 23-year-old stud for the Utah Jazz, and he is someone they have reportedly been interested in for a while. But per Brett Siegel, Kessler may not even be available. Via ClutchPoints: "As reported by ClutchPoints' Los Angeles Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the Lakers have discussed a potential John Collins trade with the Utah Jazz. Collins has long been on LA's radar as an athletic power forward who can stretch the floor and be a threat to score outside of Luka Doncic and LeBron James," Siegel wrote. "Walker Kessler remains high on the Lakers' wish list as well, although league sources continue to downplay his actual availability in Utah." The Lakers are reportedly seriously interested in Collins as well, and Irwin reported that they could perhaps look to acquire both Collins and Kessler in the same deal. Kessler could possibly be the closest thing to the ideal young center for Los Angeles. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game this season, and while he isn't extremely athletic, he could be a reliable lob threat alongside Luka Doncic, not to mention an excellent defensive backbone in the middle. He will make $4.9 million next season, so he shouldn't cost too much in terms of player compensation, although one has to expect Utah to ask for quite a bit of draft compensation — if he's actually made available. It should be noted that the CEO of the Jazz is Danny Ainge, the former Boston Celtics guard who is still disliked by many Lakers fans. One has to assume Ainge doesn't want to help his old rivals in any way, especially after he aided the Lakers in the Luka Doncic trade when they roped in his Jazz as a third team in the deal without Ainge knowing it.
