{"id":155763,"date":"2025-08-21T16:07:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T20:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=155763"},"modified":"2025-08-21T16:07:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T20:07:11","slug":"lakers-luka-doncic-offseason-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/21\/lakers-luka-doncic-offseason-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Luka Doncic Development Could Strike Fear into Opponents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a>\u2019s <\/span>physical transformation<\/span><\/a> has already drawn tons of attention\u2014from his improved agility to his highlight dunks. But one insider says there\u2019s an aspect of his game that, if unlocked, should make opponents \u201cnervous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Latest Luka Doncic Development Could Strike Fear into Opponents<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anthony Irwin: Luka Working on Catch and Shoot Jumpers, Off-Ball Movement<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to a <\/span>Thursday report by ClutchPoints\u2019 Anthony Irwin<\/span><\/a>, Doncic has worked to \u201cmake himself more effective without the basketball,\u201d aiming to become even more of a threat alongside <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Sources close to the Lakers say he has focused on becoming more comfortable shooting off the catch. He has also been in touch with coaches (Greg St. Jean is with him for <\/span>EuroBasket<\/span><\/a>, as an example) consistently this offseason to understand how they envision him impacting the game when <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a> or Austin Reaves has the ball.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cHe’s way too good to just stand off to the side after he gives up the ball,\u201d a Western Conference scout told Irwin. \u201cDefenses should be nervous about him every second he’s on the court. If they aren’t, that’s on him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shooting Off the Catch was Doncic\u2019s Kryptonite\u2014For the Most Part<\/b><\/h4>\n

In 28 games with the Lakers, Doncic shot <\/span>37% on catch-and-shoot jumpers<\/span><\/a>, including 35.6% from three (albeit on 1.5 attempts per game). He generally shot poorly off the catch all season, nailing just <\/span>39% of them<\/span><\/a> between Dallas and LA (he drilled 37% of those attempts from three, again on low volume).<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the tides turned slightly in the playoffs, when he buried <\/span>46% of his catch-and-shoot looks<\/span><\/a> against the Timberwolves\u2014all coming from three-point range.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Feb
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New Dimension to the Lakers Big Three<\/b><\/h3>\n

Doncic\u2019s commitment to off-ball movement is a promising sign for the team’s big three. Following his arrival, James and <\/span>Reaves<\/span><\/a> had worked to adjust their games to Doncic\u2019s. <\/span>LeBron even told ESPN<\/span><\/a> that he honed his three-point shot and catch-and-shoot game \u201cto be able to <\/span>sync up with someone like Luka.\u201d Now, the tables have turned, and it\u2019s all for the better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside elite facilitators, Doncic should still expect a bevy of open looks off the catch next season\u2014an area that will be enhanced by his improved conditioning. His ability to knock them down will be vital for a Lakers offense that revolves around three powerful engines. There\u2019s a good chance we could see plays that maximize Luka\u2019s newfound strengths similar to the one below.<\/span><\/p>\n