Kendrick Perkins predicts that Luka Doncic will win the MVP next season: "This is the type of commitment that I wanna see from a great player"
Kendrick Perkins has seen the Luka Doncic situation before. Great, young players often bump into adversity, but, more often than not, they emerge stronger than ever before. With this in mind, the former NBA center implores the Los Angeles Lakers faithful to see how everything plays out with the Slovenian star before worrying about the future.
"Look, this has accountability and disrespect all over it and Luka took it into the offseason," Perk said on ESPN's "NBA Today." "I know it's early for hot takes, but damn it, I'm going out on a limb early in this summertime and I'm gonna say I'm betting on Luka Doncic to win the MVP next season. This is the type of commitment that I wanna see from a great player like Luka."
Doncic was criticized last season for being out of shape. Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison reportedly alluded to his conditioning as the primary reason they traded him to the Purple and Gold.
Responding to the criticism, Luka apparently took his offseason regimen more seriously. He appeared to have slimmed down to a more ideal playing weight, showing, according to Perkins, that he has taken accountability for his actions.
Same old, same old?
Landscape's David Dennis, Jr. joined Perkins, Dave McMenamin and Jorge Sedano in the discussion. However, like the Yin to Perk's Yang, the senior writer is not convinced Luka's new-look physique would make much of a difference.
"We're supposed to be talking about this guy who needs to be an MVP-type of dude and we're celebrating the fact that he looks like he's in shape?" Dennis Jr. asked rhetorically. "The bar should be way higher than that for somebody of Luka Doncic's caliber. You have to be one of the top three players in the league for the Lakers not to be bounced in the first round."
Dennis Jr. also opened up an old wound, poking at the same issues and questions many have for Doncic.
"By the way," Dennis Jr. adds, "A lot of people who are in shape are still bad on defense. Being in shape doesn't stop you from falling asleep on back screens or being left on an island come playoff time.""This isn't something new"
Matching his fellow guest's debate show energy, a visibly irritated Perkins attempted to straighten out Dennis, Jr. by pointing to history. For the former Boston Celtics and OKC Thunder big man, everything Doncic is dealing with now is just part of the usual path for elite players.
Perkins pointed out the adjustments and adversity of past and present greats. Michael Jordan had to absorb the bumps and bruises from the Detroit Pistons, Giannis Antetokounmpo had to fill up his thin frame and Nikola Jokic had to get in shape to reach the pinnacle.
"This is nothing new. Young players that hit the ground running when they come into the league, they hit their head on the wall every now and then. Then all of a sudden, they have to bounce back," Perkins answered Dennis Jr.'s argument.
Of course, Luka hasn't been to the mountaintop yet. All talk of him having a bounce-back season and leading the Lakers to contender status remains wishful thinking.
Still, if history is any indication, players with Luka's skill and drive rarely stay down for long. The league has seen this before — stars facing scrutiny, growing pains and doubt, only to come back sharper and more determined.
Doncic may not be there yet, but his response this summer suggests he's heading in that direction.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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