NBA fans still cannot believe that the Dallas Mavericks traded superstar point guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month. A deal that shook the NBA to its very core, Doncic moved to Los Angeles while star big man Anthony Davis headed in the other direction…and promptly suffered an injury in his first game for the Mavericks.
Doncic meanwhile debuted his purple-and-gold era with a win, as the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Monday. Doncic scored 14 points in 24 minutes during the 132-113 victory, while his new star teammate LeBron James notched 24 points in 29 minutes, showing a new energy next to a new running mate.
Doncic reveals LeBron’s gesture: I really appreciate it
Amid doubts over whether James would embrace Doncic after the Lakers pulled off the secret shocker, Doncic told reporters that James himself on Monday offered to cede his traditional position as the last member of the Lakers’ starting five to be introduced — a phenomenon that usually draws great applause, seeing as James is the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored and minutes played.
The gesture was very meaningful for Doncic, who was stunned that Dallas pulled the plug on building a winner around the 25-year-old just months after he led the franchise to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks were worried about Doncic’s injury history and physical conditioning, but the Lakers have transmitted complete and total confidence in the Slovenian star.
The Lakers, winners of nine of their past 10 games, sit fourth in the Western Conference on the eve of the All-Star break, only two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for second place in the West. Los Angeles has won six games in a row, and there is renewed confidence in Lakerland after general manager Rob Pelinka pulled off this scarcely-believable trade.
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