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One of the biggest things concerning the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason? It wasn’t a free-agent signing or a draft-night selection.
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They lost LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers for what will be his breathtaking 24th season in the association.
There are countless things that impact a ball club, most of them negatively, when a player of that stature bids farewell. Recently, Olden Polynice pointed out one that’s a little more hidden. One that actually has to do with NBA superstar Luka Doncic.
Policing Luka Doncic
Polynice recently joined Byron Scott’s “Fast Break” podcast. Scott is a Lakers legend, so the team’s potential was a natural topic with the season just a few months away.
The discussion began when host Jay Wager asked Polynice whether JJ Redick’s roster is a title contender. Or at least one that could grow into one once the 2026-27 regular season begins in October.
“He- to the no,” OP
“have enough”
The Purple & Gold, in Polynice’s view, don’t have enough. They’ll also feel the fallout from failing to persuade James to stay after eight seasons with the California-based franchise.
And who takes the biggest hit in Los Angeles? Polynice believes it’s the Lakers’ current superstar, Luka Magic.
“No one is ever going to hold Luka [Doncic] accountable. And that’s going to be the problem for the Lakers, especially now without LeBron [James] not being there,” claimed Polynice.
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Discipline problem
When Doncic joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in a February 2025 blockbuster trade, many believed having the league’s all-time leading scorer around would be the perfect influence for the Slovenian point guard.
Luka is a six-time All-Star, but some parts of his game and approach are still viewed negatively. As guys such as John Salley predicted, though, habits like the playmaking maestro not being in good condition could change with LBJ right there.
“Luka is going to be in the best shape he can possibly be in,” Salley said a few months before the 2025-26 regular season.
Doncic did lose a few pounds and still looks ready physically. However, with arguably the perfect role model and mentor gone, he might be inclined to put the weight back on or slip into some of those other habits.
Polynice pointed to one example in particular. Luka arguing with referees instead of getting back on defense at full speed.
It’s technically the coach’s job to address that. Polynice, however, believes Redick hasn’t done enough to this point. LeBron, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers, did. But he’s gone now. That leaves the Lakers, in OP’s view, with too many yes-men who are “afraid to hurt his feelings” when it comes to Doncic.
There’s another issue here, though. More of a fundamental one, really.
Every franchise would be ill-advised to have a 27-year-old superstar in his prime still arguably needing to be babysat by others. Scott alluded to that problem himself. He said it would be a much better look for Luka Magic and for the team he’s supposed to lead, if he finally took responsibility for things like putting too little effort into defense.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM.