This story was updated with new information
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The Los Angeles Lakers are set up for the foreseeable future after general manager Rob Pelinka decided to acquire guard Luka Doncic over the weekend.
The Lakers traded away forward Anthony Davis, as part of a three-team deal, to the Dallas Mavericks in a move that helped Los Angeles keep a strong level of star power on the roster and get younger with the franchise’s top-end talent.
Like the Lakers, Doncic is already looking toward the future and the new opportunity.
The Slovenian was introduced to the media during an introductory press conference on Tuesday at the Lakers’ practice facility.
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“I thought I was going to spend my whole career (in Dallas) because loyalty is a big word for me and I was trying to stand by that, but this is a fresh start,” Doncic said. “I get to play in LA, the fans are amazing and I got the ocean here but I’m excited to be here.”
Doncic found out he was being traded like most of the basketball world late Saturday night.“I was about to go to sleep when the trade happened,” Doncic said. “I had to check my phone to make sure it wasn’t April 1st.”The guard said he spoke with forward LeBron James, shortly after the trade news became public, to welcome him.Doncic indicated that the conversation was fairly short as James wanted to respect the emotions Doncic may have been feeling that night.
Doncic will turn 26 years old in late February but has managed to make his mark in the NBA as a five-time all-league player.
As the featured player in Dallas, Doncic helped lead the franchise back to the NBA Finals last season for the first time since 2011.
He led several statistical categories during the postseason run with 635 points, 208 rebounds, 178 assists and 41 steals despite losing to the Boston Celtics in a five-game series.
This season, Doncic has been a triple-double threat every game and averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists and shot 46.4% from the field and 35.4% on 3-pointers in 22 games played for Dallas before he was sidelined with a calf injury on Christmas.
Despite that success, the Mavericks were willing to move on from the star player.
“That’s their decision, so I have no comment on that,” Doncic said. “They made a decision. I don’t know why but that’s their decision, so I can’t do anything about it.”
Power forward Maxi Kleber and forward/center Markieff Morris were also sent to Los Angeles by Dallas.
Doncic can find a sense of comfort in being surrounded by other familiar faces in reuniting with former teammates Dorian Finney-Smith and current coach JJ Redick.
Morris spoke highly of Doncic’s work ethic when asked about the reported concerns the Mavericks may have had regarding the star player’s level of conditioning and weight.
‘I hear stuff about him not being in shape, but if you can go into an NBA game and get 30/15/10 like it’s nothing then I don’t really know what ‘shape’ is,” Morris said.
Kleber has spent several seasons playing with Doncic and knows what he can expect from his teammate.
“I know Luka is a very competitive guy and he wants to win no matter what. …” Kleber said. “I know Luka is a very kind person and he took (the trade) to heart. … I don’t know if a guy like him needs extra motivation. I’ve seen him work out.”
When will Luka Doncic play for the Lakers?
Pelinka said Doncic is listed as day-to-day and the Lakers will work with the medical team to work toward having the guard play in a game soon.
Doncic is expected to participate in 5-on-5 drills on Wednesday with the Lakers.
What is Luka Doncic’s contract situation?
Doncic signed a five-year $215.16 million fully guaranteed designated rookie extension with Dallas in 2022 and remains under contract throughout 2026-27, according to Spotrac.
He was eligible for a five-year, $345 million super-max contract extension this summer with the Mavericks but lost out on that opportunity once he was traded.
As Doncic was being asked during the press conference if he had made any indication to the Mavericks that he wasn’t going to sign the supermax deal, which pays a player a max of 35% of the salary cap, to remain in Dallas he immediately started shaking his head before simply answering “absolutely not.”
