Last summer, the NBA witnessed one of the most shocking moves in its recent history: Luka Doncic, the face of the Dallas Mavericks, was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that completely reshaped the Western Conference landscape. What once seemed impossible ended up happening, and the Slovenian star himself admitted how hard it was to process the news.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Doncic candidly recalled the moment he learned about the trade. “I didn’t know how to react, how to act, or what to say. It was a huge shock. I felt like Dallas was my home. I had a lot of friends there. The fans always supported me,” he said.
Now a Lakers guard, Doncic also admitted he still hasn’t found emotional closure: “I don’t know if I ever will. I think it’ll always feel strange.” His departure left mixed feelings among Texas fans, who saw him as the eternal heir to the franchise.
Mavericks and Lakers: two opposite paths
The trade marked a turning point for both organizations. The Lakers bet their future on Doncic, convinced he could become Hollywood’s next superstar. Meanwhile, the Mavericks shifted strategies to win immediately, adding Anthony Davis to a core that includes Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and rising talent Cooper Flagg.
The outcome of that first season was complicated for Luka. Despite posting elite numbers – 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game – the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Physical transformation and the new challenge with the Lakers
Far from stagnating, Doncic worked harder than ever during the offseason. He surprised fans with a leaner, more athletic version of himself, the result of a strict training and nutrition regimen that was even highlighted by Men’s Health. He also shined at EuroBasket 2025 with Slovenia, where he averaged 34.7 points and 2.7 steals per game, confirming he’s ready for a new challenge.
After years as the Mavericks’ emblem, Luka now begins his first full season with the Lakers, determined to write a new chapter in his career. The challenge is immense: to prove he can lead the Los Angeles franchise to a championship and give meaning to the most surprising trade of the last decade in the NBA.
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