Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers' Luka Doncic Slammed For 'Leadership' Qualities

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic this season so that he could lead the team into the next era once LeBron James retires. Doncic is supposed to have all of the leadership qualities needed to win a title.

Los Angeles is hoping that Doncic will be able to take more of a leadership role next season in his first full season as a Laker. They are hoping he will be in better shape. too.

Doncic's conditioning came under fire after he looked tired and not able to stay in front of anyone defensively against the Timberwolves.

Doncic's leadership is now under fire because of the fact that he hasn't been able to stay in shape throughout his NBA career. ESPN's Stephen A Smith thinks that is indicative of poor leadership.

.@stephenasmith believes Luka has a "leadership problem"

"If the issue involving you is that you're not in shape, if conditioning is a question mark, that's lacking leadership." pic.twitter.com/qqJKVVbATz
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 13, 2025

"I think that any leader, and champion, would tell you if the issue involving you is that you're not in shape. If conditioning is a question mark, that's lacking leadership."

The Lakers are hoping that Doncic is taking his conditioning more seriously this offseason. They are hoping that spending more time around LeBron James will spur him into taking more action.

Despite the fact that Doncic has never really been in shape during his NBA career, he was able to lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance just last season.

If Doncic were to ever get into shape and stay in shape, it would unlock an entirely new level in his game. That's what the Lakers are hoping for next year.

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James is still the undisputed leader of the team, and will be until he retires. That doesn't mean that Doncic can't still be a leader. He needs to show the rest of his teammates that he is serious about getting better.

Smith doesn't seem to think that Doncic is taking things seriously enough when it comes to his conditioning. The Lakers won't know just how in shape he is until the playoffs next season, because that will be a true test.

After being traded to the Lakers, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.

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For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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