Luka Doncic hasn’t even completed a full season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the superstar guard is already settling into his new role – and new city – following a blockbuster trade that stunned the NBA.
Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers at the deadline in a move that caught even him off guard.
Having spent the entirety of his career in Dallas up to that point, the Slovenian star admitted he wasn’t expecting to be moved, much less to a team with the prestige and pressure of Los Angeles.
“I thought I’d play my whole career in Dallas,” Doncic said during an appearance on LeBron James’ Mind the Game podcast.
“It came out of nowhere.”
The Lakers gave up a major haul to acquire Doncic, sending All-Star forward Anthony Davis, rising young talent Max Christie, and a future first-round pick to Dallas.
The move was seen as a massive swing, especially with Doncic holding a player option after the upcoming season. But as the dust has settled, early signs suggest L.A.’s risk could be paying off.
Doncic has grown increasingly comfortable in his new environment. While adjusting to the basketball side of things, he’s also taken time to enjoy what Southern California has to offer.
“This is the first city I’ve played in that has an ocean,” he noted with a laugh. “That really stood out to me after just a couple of days – I like it, I like it very much.”
There are, however, a few downsides to life in L.A: “The only thing is the traffic,” Doncic joked. “It’s always there.”
Still, he’s been amazed by the energy surrounding Lakers basketball, especially the attention from celebrities sitting courtside every game.
“It’s amazing to see. It’s just different here,” he added.
Now viewed as the future of the franchise, Doncic is poised to take the reins – eventually. For now, he shares the spotlight with LeBron James, who continues to be the face of the team. But once James retires, Doncic is expected to lead the next era of Lakers basketball.
Though he’s eligible for an extension this summer, Doncic appears to be in no rush to sign. He’s likely waiting to see what moves the front office makes and how the roster shapes up before committing long term. Still, the expectation around the league is that he’ll remain in L.A. through his next contract.
For now, Luka Doncic seems at peace in purple and gold – and that’s exactly what the Lakers hoped for when they made their high-stakes bet.
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