It’s been months since the viral trade for Luka Doncic, but Los Angeles Lakers GM/President Rob Pelinka still has no regrets over giving up championship big man Anthony Davis. In fact, Pelinka has been impressed with Doncic so far and says that his work ethic has been admirable since joining the team.
“He’s an illusionist. He does things on the basketball court that you don’t think are real. So you’ve got to show up to see it,” said Pelinka via Spectrum SportsNet. “You might see an online video or you might hear a legendary story, but until you’re here in the building seeing it live, you’re like ‘How did he do that?’ So, I’ll tell you, he’s been a great leader, in the gym every day, working hard at his craft. You can’t be one of the best players in the world without putting in the work. So it’s been good to see him at Health South, at our practice facility, the UCLA Health Training Center, putting in the work on a nightly basis to be great on the court for our fans.”
Pelinka spent weeks in backroom negotiations with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. In secret, they negotiated a blockbuster deal that completely changed the NBA’s balance of power. In trading Luka Doncic, the Mavericks completely heated their fan base and will have to spend the next few years working to validate giving up their franchise superstar.
Before Luka was fully settled into his new home, the Mavericks began to smear his reputation with claims of poor conditioning and a lazy work ethic. They also accused his defensive deficiencies of holding them back in the 2024 NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Lakers managed to not only get better this season, but also set themselves up for success over the next 10+ years. With Doncic leading the way, they have an instant ticket to the postseason and a star that can attract other talented players to the franchise.
Despite the reports coming out of Dallas, the Lakers have been nothing but supportive of Doncic, and Pelinka has already seen several examples of him being a great leader for the team. The trade itself has seemingly motivated Luka to step up his game, and he’s been playing with a renewed sense of purpose ever since his arrival.
With averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game as a Laker, Doncic has already found his fit into the organization, and he has gradually stepped into his position as a leader of the team. So far, the young star has been leading by example both on the court with his play and during practice with all of his hard work.
In the 2025 playoffs, Doncic has his biggest test yet as a Laker: taking down Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in round one. With the series tied at 1-1, it’s anyone’s to win, and the Lakers are facing tough odds with the next two games in hostile territory.
More than ever, the Lakers will have to lean on No. 77 to carry them through this series and deliver on expectations as a top NBA superstar and regular MVP candidate. This season, Doncic is eager to prove himself and silence all the critics who have questioned his work ethic.
