Luka Doncic, the star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, appears to be facing a growing perception challenge in the race for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, despite consistently strong performances over his eight-season career. According to a recent NBA.com survey of league general managers, Victor Wembanyama emerged as the overwhelming favorite to win this season’s MVP, receiving 77 percent of the votes, while Doncic was notably absent from the primary contenders list. Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards received 10 percent and 7 percent of the votes respectively, with other players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum also garnering some support.
This development is striking given Doncic’s past MVP credentials—he finished fourth in the award voting last season and has been in the top five on four occasions. Analysts suggest that the current skepticism surrounding Doncic’s candidacy is linked more closely to the overall perception of the Lakers than to his individual abilities. While Lakers coach JJ Redick maintains confidence that the team is a legitimate title contender, few outside the organization share that outlook.
Among those weighing in on the subject is Draymond Green, the veteran Golden State Warriors forward, who recently addressed the phenomenon on his podcast. Green argued that the basketball community’s familiarity with Doncic’s brilliance has led to a kind of “greatness fatigue,” where his exceptional performances have become so routine that they no longer generate the surprise or admiration they once did. Green compared the dynamic to that experienced by LeBron James in his prime, suggesting that ongoing MVP recognition can be hindered by narrative fatigue rather than performance alone.
In contrast to some dismissive remarks from other players, Green emphasized that Doncic’s talent remains unquestioned but cautioned that these perceptions might prevent him from earning the MVP award, even if the Lakers secure a top seed in the competitive Western Conference. “If they’re the 1, 2, 3 seed—great. It’s still Luka Doncic. No one is going to be surprised that Luka Doncic is them as 1 seed. Nobody. He’s that good. There’s no element of surprise if his team is the fourth seed,” Green said. He acknowledged the unfairness of the situation but expressed skepticism that anything can break the cycle in Doncic’s favor.
Recent developments show Doncic entering the season in improved physical condition, having committed to significant body transformation efforts over the past two summers. After a hamstring injury sidelined him late last season, he spent extensive time rehabilitating and avoiding national team duties to focus on recovery. His offseason included a five-day trip to Slovenia with Lakers teammates, signaling readiness and eagerness for full competitive play.
Teammate Austin Reaves pointed to this continuity and high level of play as further evidence that Doncic’s value remains unquestioned, even if his statistical output no longer elicits the same level of astonishment. “There’s a wow factor when he plays, but you look at the box after the game, and you’re like … ‘Oh, he had 35.’ So when he has 40, people aren’t like, ‘Holy s—, he had 40!’ It’s like, ‘Oh, he did what he does every single night,’” Reaves said. He acknowledged some validity to the idea of voter fatigue, especially for a player without an MVP trophy in his collection.
Reaves also highlighted the ongoing debates surrounding the award’s criteria—whether it should recognize the best player overall or the individual who most elevates their team. He suggested that if the Lakers finish among the top four teams in the West and Doncic continues performing at his usual level, the MVP conversation may reopen.
For now, Doncic remains a focal point of discussion not just for his on-court feats but for how narratives and expectations shape the perception of greatness in professional basketball.