Luka Doncic Opens Up On Leaving The Mavericks And Joining The Lakers

Luka Doncic is adjusting to life as on the Los Angeles Lakers after being shockingly traded by the Dallas Mavericks.

5 Min Read

Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

After over two weeks have passed, the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers continues to be indecipherable. Doncic was a beloved superstar on the Dallas Mavericks, loved by the city and dominating on the court. However, off-court concerns around his attitude, his lack of defense, and poor conditioning led to the Mavericks trading him before he became eligible for a supermax contract.

Doncic is excited to join the Lakers, but it seems like he will continue grappling with the decision the Mavericks made to part with him.

“Joining the Lakers is an incredible honor. I’m here to give my best and help this team succeed. The Lakers have such a rich history, and I’m ready to be a part of it.”

“I spent so much time in Dallas and built amazing memories there. It’s tough to leave that behind. I will always appreciate the Mavericks and their fans. They made me the player I am today, and that’s not something I take lightly.”

“It’s a fresh start, and I’m looking forward to it, but I won’t forget my time in Dallas. I’ll always carry that with me.”

Mavericks fans and Doncic himself will continue questioning why this decision was made, but Luka has to move on immediately as he has a season to complete with the Lakers. He’s averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his first two games with the franchise while on a minutes restriction. 

He’s expected to play heavier minutes in the final stretch of the season after the All-Star break is over. The 32-20 Lakers will be hoping Doncic’s arrival can help the franchise not only secure its first 50-win season since 2020 but also a top-four seed in the West. They’re currently No. 5.


Luka Doncic Thought He Would Retire On The Mavericks

Even though there have been concerns about Doncic’s long-term future with the Mavericks, the Slovenian star made it clear those concerns never came from him in his first press conference as a Laker.

“I thought I was gonna spend my whole career there because I think loyalty is a big word for me, and I was trying to stay by that. But this, for me, is a fresh start. I get to play in LA, the fans are amazing, and I got the ocean here, so it’s a really big thing for me.”

Doncic also took the high road by not addressing any Mavericks front office members, thanking his old teammates and coaches with the Mavs.

“I’m just excited to be here and start this new journey. Obviously, at some point, I knew this was going to happen. But I would say I always take the high road. I had my amazing moments in Dallas with all my teammates, coaches, and most importantly the fans. They always supported me and it was an amazing journey.”

Everyone knows of the Mavericks’ lack of faith in Doncic’s ability to stay healthy or in shape, something which Doncic made clear to everyone will motivate him.

“It’s a motive. I know it’s not true. But it’s a motive. I came here, one of the biggest clubs in the history of sports, so it’s a big motive for a long run here.”

From what others have said and what we’ve seen, it’s clear Doncic is still shaken up from this deal. However, he now gets a week away from basketball to digest the decision and uproot his young family from Dallas to Los Angeles, where he has the opportunity to become one of the biggest stars in sports.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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