Why Kendrick Perkins isn’t buying Lakers’ Luka Doncic MVP hype despite absurd start to season

Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesWhy Kendrick Perkins isn’t buying Lakers’ Luka Doncic MVP hype despite absurd start to season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic’s historic performance against the Toronto Raptors, it added to the hype surrounding the guard’s probability to win the MVP award this season, however, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins isn’t buying it. Doncic continues to post eye-popping stat lines either way, as he scored 37 and 45 points in the Lakers’ last two outings, including 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and five steals in a 131-125 win against the Raptors.However, the Lakers are 5-2, with the fourth-best record in the Western Conference standings, which is what Perkins believes will prevent Doncic from winning MVP, he said, per Fanatic Sports’ Road Trippin.“In order to win the MVP, you got to have the numbers. But you got to be one of these top teams,” Perkins said. “I just think that the Lakers, they are going to be in the middle of the pack. Luka is going to have the numbers, but they’re not going to be a top-three seed in the Western Conference. I’m going with Wemby.”Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Kendrick Perkins doesn't view Luka Doncic as a real MVP contender “In order to win the MVP, you got to have the numbers. But you got to be one of these top teams. I just think that the Lakers, they are going to be in the middle of the pack. Luka is going to have the numbers,… pic.twitter.com/EZRWuPHyQ4— NBABase (@TheNBABase) November 2, 2026Lakers’ Luka Doncic is averaging 37.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.8 steals throughout his first six games of the regular season. He currently holds the third-best odds of winning this year’s MVP award, trailing San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won it last year in a race between him and Wembanyama. Still, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins isn’t convinced.While the Thunder’s roster is riddled with injuries to key players, such as Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and veteran Alex Caruso, it could pave a way for Doncic and the Lakers to retain a top seed in the Western Conference standings.Related: Lakers’ Luka Doncic fires defiant message at defensive doubters as he scorches RaptorsRelated: Lakers’ Austin Reaves forced to get headband back from fan after LA’s bench nearly blows game vs. Raptors