Following their trade for the Slovenian superstar, Luka Doncic and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka took questions on Tuesday. Doncic discussed his experience in Dallas and expressed his disbelief at the transfer.
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Luka Don i was introduced as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday.
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The Dallas Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers for forward Anthony Davis.
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Don i called his time in Dallas an “amazing journey.”
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Luka Don i was introduced as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday.
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The Dallas Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers for forward Anthony Davis.
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Don i called his time in Dallas an “amazing journey.”
Los Angeles:For the first time since his surprise trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Don I responded to questions from reporters.
Luka Don i reacts to Mavs-Lakers trade
Don claims that when he learned that he had been dealt, he was just as shocked as everyone else.
“I received a call just as I was about to fall asleep. I needed to confirm that it was April 1st. At first, I didn’t think it was true. I said, “It was a huge shock.”
READ MORE: After trading Luka Don I to the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks lost almost a million Instagram followers.
The Slovenian sensation, 25, claims that receiving the news was difficult.
“The first day was quite challenging. “This past 48 hours felt like a month to me,” he remarked. “It was much better today. I’m simply thrilled to have this chance to be here.”
Luka remarked that he enjoyed incredible times with his teammates, coaches, and supporters while he was in Dallas.
“They always supported me, and it was an amazing journey,” he stated.
Don stated that he intended to spend his whole career in Dallas.
“I think loyalty is a big word for me, and I was trying to stay by that,” he stated.
Luka was asked his thoughts on the trade of both him and general manager Nico Harrison by the Mavericks.
“I have nothing to say about that; that’s their decision. I’m not sure why they made that choice, but it’s theirs. “There is nothing I can do about that,” I said to Don.
READ MORE: American Airlines Center removes Luka Doncic banners
Luka shook his head when asked if someone in his camp had told the Mavericks that he wouldn’t have been willing to sign a supermax contract.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
Rob Pelinka on trade discussions with Nico Harrison
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called the trade a “seismic event” in the NBA and thanked Mavericks GM Nico Harrison for his role in making it happen.
Pelinka clarified that Harrison first presented him with the idea to transfer Luka over a coffee meeting in Dallas.
Kobe Bryant had previously collaborated with both general managers. Pelinka was Bryant’s agent and Harrison was an executive at Nike.
According to Pelinka, “there was a fabric of trust in the discussions,” “When the concept was originally introduced to us it was that, hey, the only way we can even have these discussions was if it was between owner and GMs and there was a commitment to that.”
According to the general manager of the Lakers, the trade negotiations lasted roughly three weeks.
Luka Don i Trade
December 15, San Francisco, California: On December 15, 2024, in San Francisco, California, Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks stands for the playing of the national anthem prior to their game versus the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. (Image courtesy of Ezra Shaw)
Before the teams acknowledged the transaction the following day, the Mavericks and Lakers’ agreement was first rumored late Saturday night.
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Dallas Mavericks receive:
Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
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Los Angeles Lakers receive:
Luka Don i , Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
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Utah Jazz receive:
Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick
When will Luka Doncic play for the Lakers?
Don I is not anticipated to play when the Lakers meet the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
When Don I will don the purple and gold uniform for the first time is still up in the air.
Pelinka says that Luka is considered day-to-day.
Due to a calf injury, Luka hasn’t played since Christmas Day.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Don I had been planning to go back to court on February 8.
If so, the Lakers will visit the Staples Center to play the Indiana Pacers, who were coached by former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle.
Luka Doncic writes letter to Mavs fans after trade
Following the announcement that he would be moved to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, Luka Don I sent a letter to Mavericks supporters on Sunday. Go here to read it.
Los Angeles Lakers Schedule
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Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Los Angeles Clippers
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Thursday, Feb. 6 vs. Golden State Warriors
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Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Indiana Pacers
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Monday, Feb. 10 vs. Utah Jazz
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Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Utah Jazz
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Wednesday, Feb. 19 vs. Charlotte Hornets
When do the Mavericks play the Lakers?
Luka Doncic, a former Mavericks standout, will be unveiled as the Los Angeles Lakers’ newest member this morning.
The Mavs and Lakers’ next meeting is set for February 25 in Los Angeles.
On April 9, the two teams will square off at Dallas’ American Airlines Center.
Luka Don i Stats
Based on the figures:
Having been selected to the first team All-NBA for each of the last five seasons, Don I is one of the NBA’s top rising talents.
With a trip to the NBA Finals the previous season and the Western Conference Finals in 2022, he also guided the Mavericks to postseason triumph.
Don I averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game during his time with Dallas.
Doncic’s average of 28.6 points ranks third in NBA history among players with at least 400 games, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, both of whom had averages of 30.1.
Throughout his NBA career, Don I has struggled with injuries.
Of the 49 games the Mavericks have played this season, he has only appeared in 22 of them. Since hurting his calf against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day, he has not been able to play.
Don I has averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game in those 22 games this season.
Mavs GM Nico Harrison on Don i Deal
What they’re saying:
Nico Harrison, accompanied by Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, began a press conference on Sunday by acknowledging the size of the transaction but stating that he thinks it creates the culture he wants to see in the Mavericks.
“We’ve had a vision and a culture that we’ve wanted to create since we’ve been here and the players that we’re bringing in we believe exemplify that,” Harrison stated. “We think defense wins championships, and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league.”
Harrison refrained from stating that Luka did not match the Mavericks’ intended ethos.
When Don I’s current contract ends in a year and a half, many have conjectured that he might have demanded to be sold or told the Mavericks that he would not take a contract extension. According to Harrison, there was no “verbal” sign that Don I didn’t intend to accept the extension.
Harrison added that he only discussed a potential trade with the Lakers.
The Mavericks general manager claims that although he scoffed at him when he originally brought up the proposal to Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont, he trusted Harrison to close the deal.
Harrison declared, “I’m the one making the decision,” “Time will tell if I’m right.”
News Conference Updates
11:34 a.m.:The press conference ends and Luka holds up his number 77 jersey.
At 11:32 a.m., Pelinka refers to Luka as one of the universe’s top three players.
11:27 a.m.: Luka makes a joke about Lakers coach JJ Redick’s inability to move at all while he was a Mavericks teammate. Although Luka claims he doesn’t do podcasts, he did Redick’s twice, demonstrating their positive working connection.
11:25 a.m.: According to Pelinka, Luka’s calf injury is deemed day-to-day. To ensure Luka is prepared to play, the Lakers are also anticipated to collaborate with his medical staff. According to reports, Luka’s group of medical advisors did not sit well with the Mavericks.
When questioned if he had stated that he would not sign the supermax with the Mavericks, Luke responded, “Absolutely not.” It was 11:23 a.m.
Luka claims he has nothing to say regarding Nico Harrison and the trade decision at 11:21 a.m.
11:20 a.m.: Luka states, “Loyalty is a big word for me,” indicating that he anticipated spending his entire career in Dallas. He claims that having the ocean in Los Angeles appeals to him.
11:19 a.m.: Luka says that since the move, “it means a lot to him” that players, including competitors, have advocated for him.
11:18 a.m.: Luke claims that he had to confirm that it wasn’t April 1 because he was nearly asleep when he first received the call.
11:15 a.m.:Pelinka says that the discussions about the trade started with discussions over coffee in Dallas.
11:13 a.m.: According to Luka, the first day following the news was extremely difficult, and the past 48 hours have felt like a month. “I am glad to be here,” he says.
Playing with LeBron James is a dream come true, according to Luka at 11:12 a.m.
At 11:11 a.m., Luke describes his experience in Dallas as a “amazing journey.”
11:10 a.m.: Doncic’s encounter with Kobe Bryant courtside at a game is the subject of the first question during the press conference. Unexpectedly, Bryant spoke Slovenian to Doncic.
11:09 a.m.: Pelinka gives Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks credit. Harrison is referred to by Pelinka as “instrumental” in closing the purchase.
11:07 a.m.: Pelinka describes Luka’s joining the Lakers as a “seismic event.”
11:05 a.m.: We’ve started. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka joins Luka.
11:01 a.m.: Free 4 At 10:30 p.m., Anthony Davis will provide a thorough analysis of today’s news conference and remarks.
10:55 a.m.: Members of the media have assembled at the Lakers’ Los Angeles headquarters. At eleven central, Luka and Lakers officials are anticipated to talk.
The NBA, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the sources of the information in this article.
