
Things are not going as planned for Luka Doncic at the Los Angeles camp. Despite all the hype, the Slovenian is getting an overwhelming amount of criticism.
The Lakers star dropped 40 points Thursday, marking his ninth 40-point game of the season and placing him among the top single-season scorers in franchise history. But LA fell 113-110 to a short-handed Phoenix Suns team missing key pieces, extending the Lakers’ losing streak to three games.
After the game, former NBA champion Danny Green questioned whether the scoring outburst actually helped the offense.
“We love these nights from Luka,” Green said on the postgame show. “But maybe take a little off to get more ball movement. Luka had 40 — let’s get 30 and see if Bron and Austin and other guys can get involved.”
Danny Green says the game plan was to attack Luka on defense because he's a "terrible defender"
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) February 27, 2026
"They were attacking Luka. That was the game plan, which most teams are gonna do. Not just because he's a terrible defender, but he's the weaker defender of the Lakers."
However, over the last three losses, Doncic has averaged more than 22 shot attempts per game. During that same stretch, LeBron James and Austin Reaves have combined for roughly 29 attempts per night — a distribution that has sparked debate about rhythm and involvement.
The numbers add fuel to Doncic’s criticism. The Lakers rank 21st in assists per game and sit near the bottom of the league in passes made and assist points created. For a team built around multiple high-level playmakers, the ball simply isn’t moving enough.
The idea of Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo sharing the floor in Los Angeles sounds dominant on paper. Danny Green isn’t convinced it would work that cleanly in reality.
With the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly positioning themselves for a major offseason move, Giannis has emerged as the dream target if the Milwaukee Bucks decide to pivot. But Green, speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, questioned whether the on-court fit makes basketball sense.
“This fit with Giannis and Luka, I don’t know if it works,” Green said. “I was kind of skeptical with even LeBron and Luka, but Bron’s a high-IQ guy, more of a passer. Giannis needs the ball, he’s more of a transition guy. Luka’s more of a halfcourt, slow it down, but he also needs the ball.”
"This fit with Giannis and Luka, I don't know if it works." @DGreen_14 on the Lakers possibly looking to pair Giannis and Luka in the offseason pic.twitter.com/Wol1xHOvS8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 17, 2026
Green even admitted he had initial doubts about pairing Doncic with LeBron James, though he credited LeBron’s adaptability and willingness to pass. The question is whether Giannis would be as comfortable toggling between primary initiator and off-ball finisher.
Statistically, both are producing at elite levels this season. Doncic is averaging over 32 points with nearly nine assists per game, while Giannis is hovering around 28 points and 10 rebounds when healthy. It will be interesting to see if the pairing comes to fruition.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!