Key Highlights
- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green stated on his podcast that Luka Doncic “will never win the MVP” after the current season, citing voter fatigue and baseline expectations.
- Despite six All-NBA First Team selections, Doncic has been passed over for the award in favor of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- Now serving as the central figure for the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic aims to overcome past hurdles involving durability and team win totals to capture the honor.
Draymond Green Weighs In on Luka Doncic’s MVP Chances
Ever since his sophomore season in the NBA, Luka Doncic has frequently been considered among the top contenders to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Across his career, Doncic has earned selections to the All-NBA First Team six times. However, he has repeatedly watched peers such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and, across the last two seasons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secure the trophy ahead of him. According to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Doncic’s window to ever capture the prestigious individual honor is rapidly closing.
Speaking on his podcast, where the Warriors veteran routinely discusses prominent league topics, Green delivered a blunt evaluation regarding the Los Angeles Lakers point guard. Green stated that he will never win the MVP. This is the last year he can win it
. Rather than serving as a slight against Doncic’s skill set, Green framed the assessment around how voters and the media normalize high-end production from specific league superstars.
The Impact of Voter Fatigue and High Expectations
Elaborating on the mindset surrounding top-tier players, Green noted that Doncic’s extraordinary statistical benchmarks are often taken for granted relative to other competitors. Green explained: “If I could average 34 points per game, they would say: “Ah, yes, of course Luka averaged 34 points per game”. We already know that he is supposed to do it, but it would not look the same if someone else did it. It’s as if people got tired of that”
. To support his point about narrative fatigue, Green referenced players like Jayson Tatum and the broader career arc of LeBron James, adding: “Don’t tell me he should only have four MVP awards”
.
Beyond external perception, Doncic’s historical MVP pursuits have often been constrained by physical availability and team success. Across his eight full seasons in the league, the playmaker has reached the 70-game threshold only twice—during his rookie campaign and throughout the 2023-24 season. Because the MVP voting criteria heavily weigh individual metrics, elite efficiency, and consistent team wins, regular absences have periodically undermined his candidacy.
Team Success and the Los Angeles Transition
Team records have similarly played a critical role in Doncic finishing behind other candidates. During his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, his regular-season high-water mark reached 52 victories, a run that included trips to the Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. In his first full campaign representing the Los Angeles Lakers last season, the team posted 53 wins, though Doncic shared the leadership mantle alongside LeBron James and appeared in 64 games. Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama ultimately placed ahead of him on the final MVP ballot.
With an increased focus on physical conditioning and taking care of his body, Doncic enters the current campaign positioned as the main figure for the Los Angeles Lakers, aiming to string together durability, high team victory totals, and historic production to overturn Green’s skepticism.
Why This Matters
The conversation surrounding Doncic highlights the shifting criteria of the NBA MVP race, where regular-season narrative, media fatigue, and strict minimum-game requirements often collide with statistical dominance. As the face of the Lakers’ new era, Doncic’s ability to maintain high availability and drive Los Angeles to the upper echelon of the Western Conference standings will determine whether he can break through the historical biases that Green argues have held back multiple generational talents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Draymond Green say about Luka Doncic’s MVP prospects?
Draymond Green stated on his podcast that he will never win the MVP. This is the last year he can win it
, arguing that voters have become accustomed to Doncic’s elite statistical output and take his standard performances for granted.
How many times has Luka Doncic been named to the All-NBA First Team?
Luka Doncic has been selected to the All-NBA First Team six times during his NBA career.
Who finished ahead of Luka Doncic in the MVP voting last season?
In the voting last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama all finished ahead of Doncic on the final MVP ballot.