Stephen. A Smith Slams Luka Doncic With Huge Criticism Amid Lakers Offseason
Stephen. A Smith Slams Luka Doncic With Huge Criticism Amid Lakers Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Luka Doncic's midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers was one of the most shocking moves in NBA history, setting up the purple and gold with a young superstar to build around long term.
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Despite Doncic's individual playoff production of 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, the Lakers' season ended in disappointment. Los Angeles finished with a 50-32 record, securing the third seed in the Western Conference, but their playoff run was short-lived, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round in five games.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) averaged 30.2 points per game in the five-game, first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Amid offseason discussions about the Lakers' future, Stephen A. Smith delivered a sharp critique of Doncic's conditioning and leadership role on the Lakers.
"If the issue involving you is that you're not in shape, if conditioning is a question mark, that's lacking leadership," Smith said Friday on "First Take."
Smith expanded on his point, adding, 'I have never encountered any champion that says it's OK to be out of shape.'
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Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison moved Doncic to the Lakers partly due to concerns over his conditioning and defensive consistency — Dallas had fired multiple strength and health staffers in hopes of improving his habits after his weight reportedly crept above 260 pounds.
Offseason reports show Doncic embracing an intensified conditioning regimen — weight-room sessions, high-intensity interval work and a stricter diet — aimed at sustaining those heavy minutes over a full 82-game slate. At 26 years old, he has two years remaining on a five-year, $215 million contract that includes a player option after next season.
During his 28 games with the Lakers in the regular season, the Slovenian superstar averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists on 43.8 percent shooting, highlighted by a season-high 42 points (including 10 3-pointers) in a victory over Denver.
In the playoffs, he logged a career high 41.6 minutes per game, underscoring his role as L.A.'s offensive engine.
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Related: Knicks Guard Doesn't Hold Back on 'Lame' Critics of Tom Thibodeau
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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