Luka Doncic ‘Under Most Pressure’ to Deliver Championship, Says Kendrick Perkins

Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson were 1 & 2 at the Dallas Mavericks, but the latter has proved he is a No. 1 player after winning the title.

Luka Doncic ‘Under Most Pressure’ to Deliver Championship, Says Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins and Luka Doncic (Image via FirstSportz)

Jalen Brunson leading his New York Knicks to an NBA championship was going to have ripple effects across the league. Most notably, taking a pay cut and former teammate Luka Doncic are going to be the most talked-about topics across shows.

The pay cut part is self-explanatory. There are a few players in the league who agree to shave off a couple of million to help their respective teams either sign other players or get under the cap.

But leaving $113 million on the table at a time when most people in the league push for the maximum possible salary was eyebrow-raising.

Now that it has culminated in a championship, there is a possibility that teams will ask their respective superstars to take less. There is proof that the concept works, and players will not have the leverage they once had.

But where it will have more impact is on other elite players who have not won a title yet. If Jalen Brunson could step up and produce more than some of his higher-paid teammates, those demands will trickle down to other players.

Luka is under the most pressure in the NBA to deliver a championship.

Kendrick Perkins said

The former champion added that Brunson’s winning the championship has not only elevated the pressure on Luka Doncic, but the Slovenian should use this as motivation.

Knowing that his deputy ended up becoming the reason why his current team is a champion should spark the Slovenian into going on a historic run. Then, if he has any doubts, Perkins wants the father of two to listen to what the passionate Lakers fans want.

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Luka Doncic is on the clock, says analyst

Kendrick Perkins said this after his First Take colleague started the segment by taking Luka Doncic’s name. The former Pistons beat writer said this to open the discussion.

Jalen Brunson winning the title has put the pressure on Luka Doncic
Jalen Brunson winning the title has put the pressure on Luka Doncic (Image via Complex Sports/Threads)

Luka Doncic is on the clock… We know how gifted he is, we know how otherworldly he is. But there are so many questions.

Vincent Goodwill said

He pointed out that Jalen Brunson winning the championship is only going to pile up the pressure on the six-time All-NBA first-teamer.

There are no questions about his talent, but other than that one NBA Finals appearance, the 27-year-old has been a playoff no-show. On the other hand, his former teammate has proven he is better when the lights are the brightest.

Goodwill may have had some bizarre opinions of late, but he made a point that other older superstars are not the ones under pressure to perform. Even 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama can be excused for being too young. But not Doncic, as his talent has not yet culminated in a title.

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Kendrick Perkins wants the Lakers to rethink Anthony Davis trade

Luka Doncic may be on the clock to win a championship, but he cannot do it on his own. There is a chance that LeBron James returns to the Lakers, and they sign Austin Reaves to an extension.

But they still need a deep bench, and more importantly, a top-tier center. Now that the superstar guard has made it clear he wants an elite big, Kendrick Perkins said this:

Maybe revisiting the relationship with Anthony Davis. That’s the only A-list that’s gonna be out there, a big, that can get them over the hump… Austin Reaves and Luka, together, cannot be your two best players to lead you to a championship.

The former center pointed out that Anthony Davis is the only elite big man who can give Doncic and his teammates what they want. Moreover, he is familiar with JJ Redick‘s schemes and was thriving before the trade.

He might be on the Wizards, but Perkins wants the Lakers to explore trade options to bring their former player back to where he wanted to stay.

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