Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Doncic is one of the most popular and best players in the entire NBA.
However, he’s also one of the most overrated, according to his peers.
Luka Doncic Voted One of the NBA’s Most Overrated Players by His Peers
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In The Athletic’s 2026 Anonymous NBA Player Poll, Doncic was voted by his peers as one of the most overrated players in the entire NBA. Out of 81 players who voted on this specific poll, Doncic received 3.7% of the votes.
Houston Rockets star center Alperen Şengün was voted as the most overrated player in the league, followed by Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and Washington Wizards guard Trae Young.
Here’s some background info on the poll from The Athletic:
From late February to early April, our writers fanned out across North America, asking players a wide array of questions, ranging from individual awards to player movement to league issues. Our writers surveyed 161 players, a record high for this project, which is approximately one-third of the league’s workforce. … As always, we granted the players anonymity to give them the freedom to answer honestly, without fear of reprisals from opponents, teammates or fans.
Players are obviously entitled to their opinion, but it’s tough to accept Doncic as one of the league’s more overrated players. The guy is one of the best individual offensive weapons that the game has ever seen and he can singlehandedly keep a game competitive thanks to his otherworldly ability to put the ball in the basket.
However, he is far from dominant defensively, and he has a tendency to complain to the referees too often, so perhaps players held those traits against him in the poll.
Luka Doncic’s Playoff Status Remains Uncertain for Lakers
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Regardless of if his peers consider him overrated or not, the Lakers would love to have Doncic available and out on the court for postseason play. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet.
Doncic has missed the entirety of the postseason thus far due to a hamstring strain. The Lakers were able to advance past the Houston Rockets in the first round without Doncic, but doing so against the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder will be a much tougher task.
At this point, it’s not known if, or when, Doncic will be able to return to the rotation for L.A. this postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers Star Voted One of the Most Overrated Players in NBA by Peers