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A16 SPORTS
Wednesday 5 February 2025

Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his

stunning trade away from Dallas

By GREG BEACHAM that you’ll still be there,”
AP Sports Writer Golden State guard Ste-
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — phen Curry said. “It’s kind
Luka Doncic was nearly of a very unique situation
asleep last Saturday night across the board.”
in Dallas when his phone Added Minnesota guard
buzzed. Only then did he Anthony Edwards: “They
learn that the Mavericks traded probably the best
had just stunned the sports scorer in the NBA at 25. And
world by trading him to the he didn’t know about it.
Los Angeles Lakers. There’s a lot more digging
“You can imagine how sur- somebody’s got to do to
prised I was,” Doncic said. find out why he got traded.
“I had to check if it was You don’t just trade him at
April 1. I didn’t really be- 25. He just went to the finals.
lieve it.” I feel bad for Luka, man.”
The superstar has begun The Lakers also acquired
to recover after his first Maxi Kleber and Markieff
two days in LA, and he’s Morris in the trade with
growing increasingly ex- Dallas. Both praised Don-
cited about a new chapter cic’s work ethic and lead-
with LeBron James and his ership and both laughed
famed new team on the From left to right, Los Angeles Lakers’ Markieff Morris, Luka Doncic and Maxi Kleber pose with their at the widespread notion
sunny West Coast. new jerseys during an introductory NBA basketball press conference Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in El the Mavs were irredeem-
And while his past and fu- Segundo, Calif. ably concerned about
ture teammates say Don- Associated Press Doncic’s conditioning and
cic has never lacked moti- move on from its 25-year- stars and an international a road game against the work ethic.”I hear the stuff
vation to be great, he has old centerpiece, the Lak- player coming to join the Clippers on Tuesday night about him not being in
all the fuel he’ll ever need ers eagerly gave up Davis Lakers,” Pelinka said. “I think followed by three straight shape, but if you can go in
after the Mavericks inher- one of basketball’s best big it’s going to be something home games. an NBA game and get 30
ently questioned his talent men to make it happen. incredibly special that the The trade caused an up- and 15 and 10 like it’s noth-
and determination by mak- Doncic is still processing the NBA and basketball has roar in the sports world, ing, then I don’t really know
ing this seismic trade. upheaval, but he already is never seen before.” leaving most Mavs fans furi- what shape is,” Morris said.
“It was a big shock,” Don- seeing the limitless upside Although James was blind- ous including Doncic’s fa- “You’re gonna see it really
cic said. “(Dallas) was of a career in Los Angeles sided by the deal along ther, Sasa, who said his son soon. You’ll make the (de-
home, so it was really hard that will begin alongside with the rest of the NBA, he “absolutely did not deserve termination) if he’s in shape
moments for me. … (But the 40-year-old James, the quickly made a call to Don- this.” or not.”
now) I get to play in the top scorer in NBA history. cic to welcome him to the The basketball world also Morris returns to the Lakers
greatest club in the world, “Honestly, it was hard at Lakers. Doncic has often was baffled by how quiet after winning a champi-
and I’m excited for this new first,” Doncic said. “That first described James as his idol. the Lakers and Maver- onship ring with the team
journey.” day was really hard. I felt “It’s just like a dream come icks kept the talks. Pelinka in the Florida “bubble” in
The Lakers formally wel- like these last 48 hours was true,” Doncic said. “I always clearly took pride in keep- 2020. He said the Mavs in-
comed Doncic on Tues- one month. Emotionally, it looked up to him. There’s ing a lid on these nego- formed him he had been
day, less than three days was really hard, but today so many things I can learn tiations, which began at a traded Saturday night, but
after they traded Anthony was much better. This is the from him, and I’m just excit- coffee shop with Dallas GM not where he was going
Davis and Max Christie in a Lakers. It’s one of the best ed to learn everything and Nico Harrison, a longtime he learned that on televi-
three-team deal for the Slo- clubs in history, so I’m ex- get to play with him. It’s an friend. sion and social media.
venian scorer who won his cited to be here.” amazing feeling.” Some of the league’s big- Kleber is on crutches af-
first scoring title last season General manager Rob Doncic hasn’t played since gest names names who, ter having surgery on his
before leading the Mavs to Pelinka didn’t hide his glee Christmas because of a like Doncic, would general- broken right foot. The Ger-
the NBA Finals. Doncic is a at landing Doncic when calf strain, but he is close to ly be considered untouch- man veteran best known
five-time All-NBA selection they met with the media a return. He will participate able in trades have react- in LA for hitting a particu-
and a five-time All-Star. at the Lakers’ training com- in 5-on-5 work at practice ed in complete disbelief. larly spectacular 3-pointer
Stars of Doncic’s age and plex. In his typically florid Wednesday, and the Lak- “Especially with (Dallas) at the buzzer to beat the
accomplishments are al- style of discourse, Pelinka ers will make a plan for coming off the finals, it’s Lakers in March 2023 says
most never traded in any said Doncic’s arrival would Doncic’s debut afterward. a reminder that there are he will be re-evaluated in
sport, and particularly not bring “basketball joy to the The Lakers have four games only a few in this league eight weeks, hopefully al-
in such an abrupt manner. world.” “We have one of in the Los Angeles area in that can go to sleep with lowing him to return around
But when Dallas decided to the game’s biggest super- the next seven days, with any type of confidence the postseason.q