Luka Doncic was introduced Tuesday as the Los Angeles Lakers’ newest superstar, three days after a shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic is now set to form a partnership on the court with fellow Lakers star LeBron James, while joining a franchise where the late Kobe Bryant rose to prominence. Doncic has offered effusive praise in the past for both Lakers legends.
“Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me,” Doncic said about his first encounter with Bryant.
Doncic, 25, will now be front and center in the Lakers’ playoff push, although he remains out with a calf injury that occurred on Christmas Day. He will not play in the Lakers’ road game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers and there is no target date for the debut with his new team.
The Lakers are set to have a five-on-five practice Wednesday that will give Doncic a chance to test his calf while playing a game with his new teammates.
Asked about the shock and disappointment of Mavericks fans after being traded for fellow All-NBA staple Anthony Davis, Doncic elected to remain positive.
“I’m just excited to be here to start this new journey, and obviously at some point, I knew this was going to happen, but I would say I always take the high road,” Doncic said. “I had my amazing moments in Dallas with all my teammates, coaches and most importantly the fans. They always supported me, and it was an amazing journey.”
While James and Davis formed an inside-out duo for the Lakers, James and Doncic will try to merge somewhat similar styles as players who can score, shoot from long distance, pass and rebound.
“It’s just a dream come true, you know,” Doncic said about playing with James, a four-time MVP. “I always say I look up to him. There are so many things I can learn from him and I’m excited just to learn everything. I get to play with him and it’s an amazing feeling.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed that the trade possibility was brought to him when the Lakers visited Dallas in early January. The potential deal was kept under wraps until it was finalized late Saturday after the Lakers secured a road victory over the New York Knicks.
“I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history.” Pelinka said. “… We have a 25-year-old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe. And I think when those two powerful forces get together, it brings basketball joy to the world because that’s how Luka plays. He plays with joy.”
Like the rest of the sports world, Doncic said that in the moment, he had a hard time believing the trade was real.
“Everybody was surprised so you can imagine how surprised I was,” Doncic said. “I was almost asleep so when I got a call, I had to check that it was April 1. I didn’t believe it at first. It was a bit of a shock. I was hard moments for me. (Dallas) was home. … But (now) I get to play for the greatest club in the world and I’m excited for this new journey.”
Pelinka addressed criticisms of Doncic that his lack of dedication toward fitness played a role in the Mavericks’ willingness to make a trade.
“I think greatness is an evolution and a process,” Pelinka said. “And I think if you are striving for perfection, as we are as an organization, or as a player is, you’re going to have challenges to make yourself better until you don’t play anymore.”
In addition to Doncic, the Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the trade, while the Mavericks — who lost in the NBA Finals last season — received Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
The Jazz also helped to facilitate the trade and will get Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round draft pick via the Los Angeles Clippers from the Lakers. Dallas also is sending a 2025 second-round selection to Utah.
Doncic has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 22 games (all starts) this season. He has played only for Dallas in his seven-year NBA career after being selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 draft. Atlanta sent his draft rights to the Mavericks in exchange for the draft rights to Trae Young.
Had Doncic stayed in Dallas, he likely would have received a nice payday this summer. He reportedly was set to get a five-year, $345 million supermax deal from the Mavericks, but now he’s not eligible for such a contract.
The 31-year-old Davis has averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 boards, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks across 42 games (all starts) during the 2024-25 campaign. He is a 10-time All-Star (including this season), five-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Defensive Team selection.
–Field Level Media
