The NBA playoff picture in the Western Conference has been changing every night, but the Los Angeles Lakers will likely make the NBA playoffs as the No. 3 seed as long as they continue to win. The Lakers next game against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder is Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Central.

In early February, Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers in a three-team, blockbuster trade involving the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. Since then, Doncic’s offensive talent has elevated the Lakers, but his shortcomings could be a problem for the team. Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion, would agree. Read on for Wade’s opinion on Doncic.

3-Time NBA Champion’s Warning

Without a doubt, Luka Doncic has helped the Los Angeles Lakers improve, thanks to his overall talent, offensive mind, and new-look energy. However, Doncic’s defensive talent has seemed to be a topic of concern to Wade. On his podcast, The Why, Wade said, “We all know that Luka is amazing with the basketball. He’s magical … But we also know he has some liabilities on the defensive end of the floor. Everyone knows this.”

3-Time NBA Champion’s Suggestion

Wade acknowledged Luka Doncic’s contributions since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in February. However, Wade clarified that when decisive games arrive, Doncic will need to improve defensively as well. Wade then called out Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick’s responsibility in this department. Wade bluntly said, “JJ and his staff have to teach Luka how to be a better defender. And this doesn’t mean he has to be a lock down.”

Wade asked, “So what y’all doing, Lakers? What are you doing, JJ, to make sure that one, you cover up for him? And two, put him in a position where you make it easy for him and simple for him to be a better defender? … Leaving a guy on an island and say, ‘Go be a defender,‘ that’s not everyone’s strength.”

In the same conversation, Wade reflected on his own experience in his 16-year NBA career. Wade is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history and spent most of his career with the Miami Heat. He won three NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. Wade said, “Just because they’re professionals and they’re making $200 million dollars, you can’t assume that they know what to do.”

Wade then recalled a former rival. Wade said, “Kyle Korver was one of the best defenders I played against, and he couldn’t guard me one-on-one … But he understood how to guard me with a system and a team, and he understood certain positions. There were certain things Kyle Korver did that pissed me off, because I’m like, He’s not a good defender, why is he still here when I’m going for this shot?‘ Because he was smart, and they put him in a position to win.”

Final Thoughts

The NBA world can take or leave Wade’s words. However, Wade had a point. Luka Doncic’s offense has helped the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic’s defense has been exposed in the past, with the latest example in the team’s 123-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena Thursday night. Doncic struggled offensively with 19 points but was just 6-of-17 from the field and played poor defense.

After Thursday night’s game, Doncic was honest about his performance and even addressed Dwyane Wade’s cause for concern over his defense. Doncic said, “It’s always frustrating when you can’t help your team … I think it’s not always about scoring. You can do some other stuff on the court, assist, rebound, defense, all of that, so trying to help in other ways.”