Without a doubt, the biggest sports news of the year so far is the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. The addition of Anthony Davis to the reigning Western Conference champions makes them a very dangerous team capable of finishing in the top six seeds, and it also pairs Kyrie Irving with an elite big man for the first time in his career. As for the Lakers, it goes without saying that putting Luka Doncic and LeBron James together makes this team a top three contender out of the West this season. And for the future, the Lakers are poised for glorious years ahead, led by the only player in NBA history to record 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, and 3,000 assists in his first six seasons, while earning 5+ First-Team All-NBA selections and winning 5+ playoff series.
LeBron’s Message to Luka Right After the Trade
Doncic has already been introduced alongside Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber as the newest Lakers players. During the press conference, Luka talked about a moment he shared with Kobe Bryant early in his NBA career and also mentioned that LeBron James called him immediately after the stunning trade on Saturday night. That same night, James had a triple-double in a crucial win – without Anthony Davis – against the Knicks in New York, one of the team’s most important wins of the season. Immediately following the game, news of the trade broke. Reports indicate that LeBron, like the rest of us, was caught off guard by the move. However, I believe he had an idea of what was coming. These were his words
The line that stands out to me is: “I understand how you feel.” Although LeBron has never been traded midseason, he has changed teams three times, with none more dramatic than his 2010 move in The Decision, when he left Cleveland for Miami to team with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in pursuit of championships. I assume that’s what he meant by those comments, because when he left Miami to return to Cleveland, he was already 30, and by the time he arrived in Los Angeles, he had nothing left to prove. Under LeBron’s mentorship, Luka has immense potential both on and off the court. Nothing would be better than seeing a Lakers-Mavericks playoff series, and with the way this season is shaping up, it could very well happen.
First Impressions of Doncic with the Lakers
At first glance, this trade is a win-win for the Lakers in every way. But the most important thing for the franchise is to tie and then surpass the Boston Celtics in total championships. The defending champion Celtics won their 18th title last season, breaking the tie with the Lakers. Now, with Doncic, the rivalry is back to its peak. The duel between Doncic and Jayson Tatum for at least the next five years could bring the Lakers-Celtics rivalry back to the level of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird in the 80s.
In addition, LeBron James is unlikely to retire without at least tying Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in NBA rings. At 40 years old, he has only a few seasons left to secure another championship. That’s why I find it hard to believe he wasn’t aware of the trade – because I highly doubt he would have let his close friend Anthony Davis go for anyone other than a player of Luka’s caliber. After all, there’s a reason he’s known as “LeGM” on social media.
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