The Dallas Mavericks are living in the shadow of a decision that may haunt the franchise for years: trading Luka Dončić. Even parting ways with GM Nico Harrison hasn’t steadied the ship. Meanwhile, on the other side of the equation, Luka is thriving in Los Angeles, turning the Lakers into a juggernaut and reminding everyone why he’s one of the most uniquely gifted players the league has ever seen.
But despite Luka’s dominance, not everyone is ready to crown him the top young star in the NBA. Former NBA guard Lou Williams stirred the pot during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, where he was asked a tough question: if you were building a franchise from scratch, would you take Luka Dončić or Anthony Edwards?
Williams didn’t hesitate long. “That’s tough; obviously, I like both. I would say Ant-Man,” he said.
Now, let’s be clear-this wasn’t a slight against Luka. Williams acknowledged Dončić’s elite playmaking and scoring ability. But for him, Edwards brings something intangible to the table.
“I think he has more potential. Knowing everything that we know, a little younger, the upside is there.
Luka’s a better playmaker, can score, but I just like Ant-Man’s energy,” Williams explained. “If I’m trying to energize a franchise, trying to energize a fanbase, I would go with Ant-Man.”
It’s a fascinating debate. Luka is putting up video game numbers-35.1 points per game-and has led the Lakers to a 15-4 start, good for second in the Western Conference. That’s not just MVP-level production; it’s the kind of output that defines eras.
Meanwhile, Edwards is no slouch. He’s averaging 28.9 points per game and has the Timberwolves sitting at 12-8, currently sixth in the West. His explosive athleticism, defensive upside, and charisma have made him one of the league’s most magnetic young stars.
But when it comes to raw production and impact, Luka is operating on a different tier right now. He was just named Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 6 of the season-his first such honor as a Laker, and the 15th time he’s earned the award in his career. That’s a testament to the level he’s playing at, and how quickly he’s made Los Angeles his own.
Here’s a stat that tells you everything you need to know: Luka currently has as many 40-point games this season as the Mavericks have total wins. That’s not just dominance-that’s a reminder of what Dallas gave up.
So while Lou Williams may prefer Ant-Man’s upside and energy-and there’s a valid argument there-the reality is, Luka Dončić is delivering results right now at an MVP pace. And as the season rolls on, the gap between potential and production will be something every front office, fanbase, and former player will have to reckon with.