Ahead of his first return to the American Airlines Center, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic reflected on the trade that changed his career. In a recent chat with the LA Times, Luka shared his perspective on the entire ordeal and even responded to the claims about his poor work ethic.
“They have no idea,” Doncic told The Times. “I didn’t end up here by mistake. You know? I worked my ass off to be here. So it’s kinda, I would say disrespectful — just sad that people say that.”
It’s been a wild season for Doncic, who missed 22 games with a calf strain before being traded to the Lakers halfway through the season. The adjustment process is still ongoing, but with the right practice and reps, Luka is confident that he can play up to his maximum potential.
“I always say, you know, I’ve always got better at the game when I was playing five-on-five, one-on-one, two-and-two in practice,” Doncic said. “That’s what I always see, that I’m most improved when I play that way in practice.”
As one of the best young players in the game, Luka Doncic had the Mavericks thriving in the West, but it still wasn’t enough for him to keep his place on the team. By the time they made the blockbuster trade in February, Doncic’s legacy and approach to the game were already being threatened.
Besides his lapses on defense (and short fuse with the officials), Luka’s work ethic and commitment to the craft were scrutinized for years. He’s struggled with weight issues and is notorious for his failure to stay in shape throughout the season. Things peaked in the 2024 NBA Finals, when Doncic’s anemic play defensively was exposed to a whole new degree.
His flaws on the court and in the locker room were enough for the Mavericks to give up on the young Slovenian star, and they made it known why they lost faith in the former No. Three overall pick.
In Luka’s eyes, this was the ultimate betrayal. To not only trade him but also attack his character was unforgivable, and he’s committed to proving them wrong. By all accounts, the trade has lit a fire under Doncic, and he’s feeling more motivated than ever before.
In 26 games as a Laker this season, he’s averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game on 42.2% shooting. Following the example set by LeBron James, Luka is spending more time than ever in the gym, honing his craft.
It’s too late to reverse the blockbuster trade, but Doncic has already started down the path of revenge, and he’ll get his first taste of it tonight against the Mavericks.
Ahead of his return to Dallas, Luka’s camp shut down all requests for a promo collaboration, and he’s expected to make a statement on the court with an elite standout performance.
Ultimately, the real test for Doncic will come in the NBA playoffs. After failing to finish the job last year, fans are eager to see if Luka can get it done with his new team, but the odds are stacked against him.
In the Wild West, the margin for error has never been slimmer, and it will take an amazing group effort just to make it out of the first round. After what he’s been through since February, Doncic has all the motivation he needs to play his best game and give everything he has to help the Lakers meet their expectations.
