Jay Williams did not hesitate when asked directly whether he trusts Luka Dončić to lead a championship team. His answer on ESPN’s First Take was blunt: “No. ”The reason was not talent. Williams called Dončić one of the most gifted players he has ever seen, but he argued the superstar has developed “losing habits”that undermine his statistical brilliance.
The criticism centers on two alarming numbers. Dončić leads the NBA in turnovers per game, a dangerous distinction for a Lakers team that ranks among the league’s worst transition defenses. When the league’s most ball-dominant player gives the ball away, those mistakes often become easy opposing baskets. The second stat was even more striking.
Among 13 NBA players this season with at least 30 games played and a usage rate above 30, Dončić ranked tied for last—alongside Kawhi Leonard—in team offensive rating. That means despite his massive individual output, his team’s offense was not more efficient during his minutes compared to other superstars’arounds. Williams also pointed to Dončić’s behavior on the court. He described possessions where Dončić screamed at referees, failed to get back on defense, and was effectively absent from the defensive end of the floor.
For a player expected to be the face of a franchise, that raised questions about leadership that go beyond skill. Stephen A. Smith agreed with the core concern but added a crucial nuance. He acknowledged Dončić cannot be taught his unique offensive skill set, and he remains the NBA’s leading scorer.
But Smith argued the deeper problem is defense. When a possession ends, Dončić does not consistently give effort on the other end, and his constant frustration with officials takes him out of plays entirely. Smith drew a contrast to Kobe Bryant. Kobe also forced shots and made mistakes early in his career, but nobody ever questioned his relentless two-way effort.
That, Smith argued, is what Dončić has yet to prove. The debate did not end with criticism. Both analysts agreed Dončić’s talent gives him the highest ceiling of any player in the league. They also pointed out he has already shown he can win at the highest level when surrounded properly.
The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals two years ago, ranking third in the league in made three-pointers that season. They built the roster around his strengths, particularly shooting. The Lakers currently rank 23rd in three-point makes, a significant structural gap. Defensively, the panel suggested Los Angeles may need to build a protective system similar to what Golden State constructed around Stephen Curry—elite defenders who cover for a superstar’s limitations.
There was also unanimous agreement on another point: Dončić must stop getting ejected or fouling out of high-stakes games. This issue resurfaced after Dallas traded him to Los Angeles, with team officials publicly raising concerns about his conditioning ahead of a massive contract extension. Even with those concerns, the analysts rejected the idea of giving up on him. The final assessment was clear: Dončić has everything needed to lead the Lakers to a championship, but only if he changes the parts of his game that do not appear in the box score.
Fewer turnovers, better defensive effort, controlled emotions, and a roster with shooting and rim protection around him. If he fixes those weaknesses, he could become a championship-caliber force. If those habits remain, the player capable of carrying Los Angeles to a title could also be the reason the dream collapses.
