Life in the NBA moves fast. A couple of days time essentially stood still in the NBA when insider Shams Charania broke one of the most shocking trades of all time in his social media announcement that Luka Dončić had become a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. While many rumors and reports are out there about the why, the process is indeed moving forward.
After touching down in LA, the Lakers held an introductory press conference to introduce their newest superstar and face of the franchise for what they hope is the next decade. Here’s everything we found out from Dončić about the move to Los Angeles and what comes next for the Slovenian superstar.
Luka Dončić Details the Shock, Excitement, and Future
Of course, the conversation had to begin with Dončić’s initial reaction. When the trade news first came, nearly everyone believed that it was either a case of a parody or Charania had been hacked. But once it became clear that the trade was indeed official, fans and players alike couldn’t hide their shock.
Unfortunately, the same was true for Dončić, who admitted, “I had to check if it was April 1. I didn’t really believe it at first, and it was a big shock. It was a hard moment for me, it was home. So, it was a really hard moment for me, especially the first day. But I get to play for the greatest club in this world, and I’m excited for this new journey.”
Luka Doncic on finding out that the Dallas Mavericks traded him pic.twitter.com/AX48MwLHxH
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 4, 2025
Speaking of the opportunity to play for a franchise that has 17 championships to its name already, Dončić will be suiting up with a man he once called his idol, LeBron James. Elaborating on how that reality feels, the five-time All-Star was honest about his reverence.
“It’s like a dream come true. I always look up to him, there’s so many things I can learn from him, and I’m just excited. Just to learn everything, and now I get to play with him. It’s an amazing feeling.”
"It's just like a dream come true." 🙏
Luka on playing with LeBron pic.twitter.com/B3rEBaQeIA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2025
Right after the announcement, fans harkened back to the last Lakers legend and his endorsement of Dončić. During a Mavs-Lakers matchup at the then Staples Center, Kobe Bryant was courtside and had a hilarious interaction with Dončić as he was sledging him in Slovenian from the sideline before the latter realized who it was.
At the press conference, the moment came up once again, and Dončić admitted how much the Mamba meant to him.
“I remember the exact moment that that happened. It’ll always stay in my mind; it was an amazing moment. Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me.”
Then, with 12 words, Dončić won the heart of every single Lakers faithful.
Luka on meeting Kobe: "Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me. I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment." 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/biL0rI5vg8
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2025
“I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment.”
Speaking of Bryant, general manager Rob Pelinka, who was once Bryant’s agent, gave the highest honor possible in the city of Los Angeles to a basketball player, claiming, “He has a combination of joy and basketball instinct that are really rare. That’s No. 8, that’s No. 24.”
Then came the conversation about the future. For all the vitriol that the Dallas Mavericks have received for trading away their franchise cornerstone at just 25 years of age, the Lakers partnered up by sending Davis, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, alongside Max Christie and a first-round pick.
So, to justify the move, the results need to be justified. And Dončić, for one, understands the goal when he dons the purple-and-gold.
“This, for me, is a fresh start. I get to play in L.A. The fans are amazing, and I got the ocean here, so it’s a really big thing.
"This, for me, is a fresh start. I get to play in L.A. The fans are amazing, and I got the ocean here… Many legends have passed through, many, many championships—so that's my goal."@NikkiKaySN1 pic.twitter.com/Sl3DoG8Prb
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2025
“But, really, I’m really excited to be here, getting to play for the Lakers. Many legends have passed through, many, many championships — so that’s my goal.”
