The biggest criticism of Luka Doncic has been his defense. His former team reportedly pointed to it as one of the reasons they traded him.
However, a former NBA player-turned-analyst has a completely different observation. He believes Doncic will eventually win a championship, but he thinks the Los Angeles Lakers’ overall style of play could prevent the Slovenian superstar from winning a ring.
Channing Frye, who was famously part of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers team that won the NBA championship led by LeBron James, believes Doncic’s ball-dominant style and high usage rate will not lead his team to an elusive championship.
Doncic has already reached the NBA Finals once during his time with the Dallas Mavericks, although they lost to the Boston Celtics.
“I think Luka will win a championship,” the retired NBA player said in his own podcast Channing’s Mailbag.
“I do not think that he will win with that style of play and high usage rate. He needs a team around him, sure, but he plays physical and is usually beat up by the time. Did he miss his one chance? No. I just think something’s going to come around where Luka got to come to grips with like, that’s not what is going to win.”
Frye’s take is more about the team Doncic is playing for. He believes the Lakers should continue building around the six-time All-Star and add another player who can make Doncic trust the system and believe the team will be fine even when he is not dominating every possession.
May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on from the bench in the final minutes of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesLuka Doncic’s Lakers so farThe Lakers are already building around Doncic.
The superstar, who is coming off a long layoff that caused him to miss the 2026 postseason, reportedly had a wishlist of players, and the Lakers managed to acquire some of them.
He wanted a big man he could run the pick-and-roll with, and the Lakers signed Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal. He also reportedly badly wanted Austin Reaves back, and the Lakers rewarded the undrafted guard with a lucrative contract.
The Lakers also added Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili to help Kessler in the frontcourt, Collin Sexton as a backup point guard, and Matisse Thybulle at the two-guard position.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) with guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThere were also some major omissions from last season’s starting lineup. LeBron James is now with the Philadelphia 76ers after deciding to become a free agent last June. Marcus Smart signed with the Houston Rockets, while Rui Hachimura signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. DeAndre Ayton was also traded to the Washington Wizards.
Doncic has been hands-on throughout the Lakers’ summer preparations. He recently flew his team to Slovenia, where he hosted various workouts and team-building activities
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