Magic Johnson is urging Luka Doncic to take more responsibility as the face of the Los Angeles Lakers.
During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday morning, the Hall of Famer addressed Doncic’s conditioning and his role as the new leader of the franchise.
“Luka gotta understand this is not Dallas,” Johnson said, via Lakers Nation. “We shouldn’t have to tell you to be in shape. You should have been about that, right? Especially when you’re a superstar.”
Doncic joined the Lakers in February following a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas.
The move stunned the league and placed immediate pressure on Doncic to carry the Lakers, a franchise long defined by championship expectations.
The Slovenian guard showed flashes of brilliance in his first postseason run with Los Angeles, averaging 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over five games.
However, questions about his conditioning persisted, especially after a late-season back injury and visible fatigue during the first-round series loss to the Timberwolves.
Johnson, who led the Lakers to five NBA titles in the 1980s, stressed the importance of year-round preparation.
“Kobe led us. Shaq led us. LeBron led us. That’s what’s missing here,” Johnson added, calling this offseason “an important one” for both Doncic and the team.
Still, some critics argued Doncic wasn’t in peak physical shape when the playoffs began.
The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference with a 50–32 record but were eliminated in five games by Minnesota.
With LeBron James nearing the end of his career, Doncic is now the centerpiece in Los Angeles. Johnson’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that the franchise expects more than just elite numbers — they want leadership, preparation, and a commitment to winning.
