Luka Doncic Ready for New Chapter with Lakers and LeBron
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Luka Doncic was getting ready to call it a night in Dallas when his phone started buzzing. He glanced at the screen and saw a flood of messages. Confused, he checked social media—then came the shock. The Dallas Mavericks had just traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I had to make sure it wasn’t April Fool’s,” Doncic said, shaking his head. “I really didn’t believe it at first.”
The 25-year-old star had been the face of the Mavericks since he entered the NBA in 2018. He led them to the NBA Finals last season, won his first scoring title, and was seen as the guy Dallas would build around for years. But just like that, he was gone.
Now, after a couple of days in Los Angeles, he’s starting to process everything. The initial shock is fading, and he’s realizing the upside—he’s about to share the court with LeBron James, the player he grew up idolizing.
“This is the Lakers,” Doncic said. “One of the greatest franchises in the world. I’m excited for what’s next.”
How Did This Trade Even Happen?
Nobody saw this coming. Blockbuster trades happen in the NBA, but superstars like Dončić, especially at his age, usually don’t get moved unless they force their way out.
In this case, Doncic didn’t ask for anything. He made it clear that he was happy in Dallas. He had the chance to sign a five-year, $345 million supermax contract this summer, and when asked if he had given any sign that he wouldn’t take it, he was direct.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
But for whatever reason, the Mavericks decided it was time to move on. The Lakers, sensing an opportunity, jumped in fast. They gave up Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal that also included the Utah Jazz.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called the trade a “seismic event” and couldn’t hide his excitement about landing a generational talent like Doncic.
“When you have the chance to bring in a 25-year-old global superstar to the most iconic basketball franchise in the world, you don’t hesitate,” Pelinka said. “This is going to bring basketball joy to the world.”
Teaming Up with LeBron James
Perhaps the most exciting part of this move is that Doncic will now play alongside LeBron James. He has never been shy about his admiration for LeBron, and now he gets to share the floor with him.
“It’s a dream come true,” Doncic said. “I always looked up to him. Now I get to learn from him every day and play alongside him. It’s unreal.”
LeBron, who was also blindsided by the trade, wasted no time calling Doncic to welcome him to the Lakers.
Their pairing immediately makes the Lakers one of the most talked-about teams in the league. Doncic’s playmaking, scoring, and creativity could be the perfect complement to LeBron, especially as James approaches the twilight of his career at 40 years old.
NBA Players Are Still in Shock
Doncic isn’t the only one struggling to understand how this happened. The entire NBA world is still trying to wrap its head around the trade.
Stephen Curry, who has faced Doncic in multiple playoff battles, admitted the move caught him off guard.
“This just shows that nothing is guaranteed in this league,” Curry said. “You can be an MVP candidate, lead your team to the Finals, and still wake up one day and be somewhere else.”
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had a similar reaction.
“They traded probably the best scorer in the NBA at 25. And he didn’t even know about it?” Edwards said. “That’s crazy. There’s got to be more to the story.”
Even Doncic’s father, Sasa, was furious, telling reporters that his son “absolutely did not deserve this.”
Source: Luka Doncic excited to join Lakers, says trade was a ‘big shock’
What About the ‘Luka Isn’t in Shape’ Talk?
In the days following the trade, rumors started spreading that Dallas moved on from Doncic because they had concerns about his conditioning and work ethic. But the players who know him best are calling that nonsense.
Markieff Morris, who was also traded to the Lakers, laughed off the criticism.
“I keep hearing this talk about Luka not being in shape,” Morris said. “Man, if you can drop 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists like it’s nothing, then I don’t know what being ‘out of shape’ means.”
Maxi Kleber, another piece of the deal, agreed.
“Luka is already one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever played with,” Kleber said. “But if you think he needed extra motivation, this trade is going to give it to him.”

When Will Luka Play His First Game as a Laker?
Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas due to a calf injury, but he’s close to making his return. The Lakers will have him go through full-contact practice on Wednesday, and after that, they’ll decide when he can officially make his debut.
The Lakers have a packed schedule coming up, with four games in the next seven days, including a big matchup against the Clippers. Fans are eager to see him in purple and gold, and the anticipation is sky-high.
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter Begins
No one—especially Doncic—thought this trade would happen. He built a life in Dallas and expected to be the face of the Mavericks for years. But in the NBA, things change fast.
Now, he’s in Los Angeles, playing for one of the most iconic franchises ever, alongside the greatest scorer in NBA history.
“The last two days have felt like a month,” Doncic admitted. “At first, it was really hard, but now, I’m ready. This is the Lakers. This is history. I’m embracing it.”
And just like that, a new chapter begins.
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