Former Boston Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins has made a daring prediction about Luka Doncic’s future, forecasting the guard will secure the MVP award next season. This Luka Doncic MVP prediction comes amidst questions about Doncic’s performance and fitness following his recent playoff struggles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic’s Shift to the Lakers and Playoff Disappointment
After spending several seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, 6-foot-6 veteran Luka Doncic was traded midseason to the Lakers. He joined forces with LeBron James to help Los Angeles reach a 50-32 record and clinch the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. However, their playoff run ended abruptly in a five-game first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sparking doubts about Doncic’s defensive skills and overall readiness, especially after his leading role in taking Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals the previous year.
Perkins Breaks Celtics Loyalty to Support Doncic
Despite his deep Celtics allegiance, Perkins publicly backed Doncic during several appearances on ESPN’s NBA Today. He notably put the guard ahead of reigning stars in his MVP rankings, signaling strong confidence in Doncic’s potential to dominate next season. Perkins declared,
“Now I know it’s early, y’all, I know it’s early for hot takes, but damn it, I’m going out on a limb early in this summertime. I’m going to say, I’m betting on Luka Doncic to win the MVP next season,”
—Kendrick Perkins, Former Celtics Champion
Perkins’ MVP Contenders List Highlights Doncic’s Rise
Perkins also shared a top-five MVP candidate list, placing Doncic at the forefront. His selections included Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at fifth, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic at fourth, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards third, and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo second. His ranking underscored his belief that Doncic’s renewed focus and motivation set him apart.
Emphasizing this transformation, Perkins said,
“I said it the other day, I’m saying it now, skinny Luka at that. He’s engaged. He felt disrespected,”
“The Mavs gave up on him, they traded him. It was a lot of offseason noise, criticism — a lot of it came from me — about how he couldn’t defend. Now all of a sudden we’re getting an engaged, disrespected Luka that’s holding himself accountable.”
—Kendrick Perkins, Former Celtics Champion
The Rising Stakes for Luka Doncic and NBA Fans
Doncic’s early playoff exit and questions about his defense have generated unease among fans and analysts, fueling uncertainty about his ability to carry a team deep into the postseason. Perkins’ bold endorsement suggests a shift, highlighting a motivated Doncic ready to challenge his critics. His MVP prediction places Doncic among elite competition like Jokic and Giannis, raising anticipation about the upcoming NBA season.
As the league looks ahead, Doncic’s performance will be closely watched, with this forecast intensifying expectations for the guard to prove himself on a new Lakers squad alongside LeBron James. Perkins’ stance may influence how broadcasters, analysts, and fans view Doncic’s trajectory in the critical months ahead. The coming season will reveal whether this gamble on Luka’s evolution pays off in MVP hardware and team success.