NBA Insider Hints at Lakers Taking a Step Back, Highlights Luka Doncic as Key Factor

When the Los Angeles Lakers roped in Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, they were making a statement to the rest of the NBA. His arrival, along with the signings of Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, and the presence of LeBron James, has turned them into title contenders. Or has it?

Tim Legler feels that the Lakers may have downgraded themselves, even with the star power they have. His concern is that Ayton does not fit with the rest of the starters.

“I could make an argument why they’re going to take a step back from what they did a year ago,” Legler said on the All NBA Podcast. He quickly reminded viewers that he wasn’t giving a sure-shot scenario before explaining his take.

Legler described how Ayton is someone who plays with the ball. Whenever a coach has asked him to do something different, he has failed miserably. This could happen at the Lakers, given they’ll have Doncic and Bron as the primary ball handlers.

“What if they’re just completely unhappy with DeAndre Ayton? He just doesn’t fit in at all. He’s a guy that needs the basketball. He’s not a screen dive guy. When he’s been asked to do that, he’s been miserable in his career,” the NBA insider added, before highlighting Ayton’s offensive prowess.

With Bron and Doncic eating up the seconds on the shot clock, it will limit what Ayton can do. Legler suggested that it’s something that could hold the LA side back. However, there’s another addition to the roster that he is a fan of.

Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, spent last season in relative anonymity with the Washington Wizards. He will now bring some much-needed resilience to the Lakers.

Doncic isn’t an elite defender. Legler believes Smart can help cover for the Slovenian on that end of the floor. As for Luka Magic, Legler insists that he will be the key to a successful season.

“I want to see Luka Doncic look like an MVP in the first 15 games of the year,” he continued. “Come out, get them off to a 12-3 start…” 

Legler did point out that playing with the expectation to win it all is something Luka hasn’t done in the past. The Mavericks have always fought for the lower playoff positions right from the get-go.

But now, with a much better team around him and a physical transformation that has dropped jaws, Luka is expected to step up big time.