The Los Angeles Lakers added even more pressure on Luka Doncic by building their roster completely around him. They paid a massive price for Walker Kessler because Doncic wanted a rim-protecting big man. Every signing has a flaw the Lakers hope Doncic can mitigate. They are relying on number 77 to make them a contender and ramping up the pressure. If the Lakers fail, Luka will get the blame.
The Lakers signed Quentin Grimes after he shot 33.4 percent from 3-point range and appeared mostly as a sixth man. They hope Luka can get his shooting up and make him stand out as a starter. Kessler’s questionable offensive game must be improved by Doncic. They need their superstar to improve Ziaire Williams’ shooting, help Collin Sexton lock in on defense, and get Sandro Mamukelashvili easy buckets.
Doncic can do all those things, but it is a massive ask for any player. The 27-year-old is one of the best players in the world, but fans should be worried. Los Angeles became reliant on Luka, which could be a problem if he is forced to miss time.
Lakers tuned up the pressure on Luka Doncic this summer
Los Angeles bet on Luka with every signing. Rob Pelinka and the front office targeted players Doncic maximizes. They got younger and more athletic, but they need number 77 to be otherworldly. Fans know Luka is, but this is a massive burden to carry every night for the entire season.
Doncic is in charge of saving Kevon Looney’s career, and he’s capable of doing it. All the big man has to do is set quality screens. Luka will find him on the roll and make Looney look good.
Austin Reaves is an elite scorer and above-average playmaker, but the Lakers have serious problems if Luka misses time. They are light on shot creation, offensive punch, and perimeter defense. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.
LeBron James didn’t want to return to the Lakers because they didn’t prioritize him in free agency. It was a massive loss and took another style of play off the board.
Los Angeles is officially Luka’s team now and will play his heliocentric brand of basketball. They need shooters and defenders around him, which is what the Lakers tried to add. They hope Reaves and Sexton can create enough counters to keep the franchise afloat whenever Doncic is off the floor.
Luka is no stranger to pressure. He helped Slovenia win EuroBasket as a teenager and led Real Madrid to a EuroLeague title in his final year in Spain. Doncic piloted the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 when nobody thought Dallas would make it. He has dealt with all the pressures, but this is a risky strategy over the lengthy 82-game regular season and grueling playoffs. Luka may have to carry too much weight and wear down late in the year.
The Los Angeles Lakers build their roster around Luka Doncic, which adds even more pressure on the superstar. Number 77 usually thrives in that, but it is risky coming off multiple soft tissue injuries. Even more problematic when doing it over a long season. The Lakers need Luka now.
The pressure is on Doncic to lead them into title contention with a roster built around him. Don’t count Luka out. He is one of the best players on the planet and will be ready. Fans just have to hope his body holds up.
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