Luka Doncic Gets Destroyed By Kendrick Perkins After Lakers Lose To Timberwolves In First Round

The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs in five games. The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, had home-court advantage but still lost the series in five games. 

Los Angeles was projected to compete for the title this year after acquiring Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Instead, the Lakers went 1-4 in the postseason, with Doncic getting exposed (again) on defense. 

The one and only Kendrick Perkins never minces words, especially since he has become one of ESPN’s most popular NBA analysts. The one-time NBA champion, who is no longer friends with James, destroyed Doncic on Thursday, calling the All-Star “the worst defensive star that we’ve seen in the modern era of basketball.”

jregnrengr pic.twitter.com/82rMk1uUu2

— CyrusTheVirus (@CyrusTheVirusP) May 1, 2025

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Doncic because he had issues with his conditioning and defensive skills. Well, both of Doncic’s flaws were on full display in the Lakers-Timberwolves series. 

It’s pretty obvious what Doncic has to do. He needs to lose weight and give more effort on defense.

James is 40 years old and the oldest active player in the league and he’s still in better shape and giving more effort defensively than Doncic, who is only 26 years old.

Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with the Lakers in the regular season. The future Hall of Famer then put up 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the Timberwolves series.

Offense has never been the issue for Doncic. He needs to lose weight, get in better shape and become at least an average defender for the Lakers, who can sign the former Mavericks superstar to a four-year, $229 million contract in August.

Doncic will make $46 million next season. He has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season.