The recent blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers has shocked the basketball world. Jaylen Rose compared it to the surprise when the Raptors traded Vince Carter, emphasizing how unexpected and impactful this move was. Luka, a five-time All-NBA first-team player and a proven superstar, now joins LeBron James and Anthony Davis in LA. His skill set is undeniable, and he is already seen as a future Hall of Famer. The Lakers are now poised to build around him as their new centerpiece, following a history of acquiring legendary players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.
While the Lakers’ move to acquire Luka is seen as a step toward securing their future, the trade has left many questioning why the Mavericks would let go of a young, elite player at his peak. The Mavs were reportedly concerned about Luka’s conditioning and his upcoming Supermax contract extension. However, the trade for an older, injury-prone Anthony Davis does not seem like a logical move in the long term, considering Davis’ durability issues.
Luka’s fit alongside LeBron is an intriguing topic. LeBron, at 40, is still playing at a high level, and pairing him with Luka, a player known for his high basketball IQ and playmaking ability, will make both players better. It’s expected that they’ll share ball-handling duties, but the real question is whether they can coexist smoothly and create a winning formula. With both players capable of taking over the game, the Lakers now have a dynamic duo for the future, and Luka’s arrival signifies the team’s shift towards long-term championship aspirations.
It’s official, Luka Doncic is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the weekend, the Dallas Mavericks surprised the sports world with a trade that sent Doncic to Los Angeles. Former NBA player and current analyst Jalen Rose lauds the Lakers for making the most out of the deal and securing a star for the franchise’s future.
Like every basketball fan, Rose said he was surprised to learn about the trade. The former Toronto Raptors forward praised the Lakers for their quick thinking in the deal, while he was disappointed in the Mavericks for trading their franchise star.
“I love Anthony Davis, he’s a champion, he’s a future Hall of Famer,” Rose said. “The Mavs are ninth right now in the West. I think they’re third or fourth in the pecking order even with AD. Terrific player but if you’re the Los Angeles Lakers — Rob Pelinka might get a statue now.
Jan 17, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Rob Pelinka might get a statue now.” 👀@JalenRose on the Luka/AD trade 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/h8x9d41VDa
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 4, 2025
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“Jerry West had a statue as a player and as an exec… to add Luka Doncic to your team — he’s been All-NBA First Team five times. He led the Mavs to the Finals last year. His numbers are on steroids. I can’t believe they gave up a 25-year-old player and ultimately because you didn’t want to pay him.
“I know — cause I’ve been traded 150 times. What happens is, they’re gonna now put out stuff about you. ‘Oh, his weight, oh his lifestyle. Oh, this is why we did it.’ But ultimately, Luka going to get chips in LA and he’s gonna be an iconic figure because I can’t believe they traded him at this point of his career.”
Doncic is expected to play his first game as a Laker before the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The reason why the Lakers didn’t trade their first-round picks revealed
Dec 12, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
One of the more surprising details of the Lakers’ trade was that the front office didn’t give up a ton of draft capital. General manager Rob Pelinka only gave up one of the team’s two unprotected first-round picks. The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Joe Vardon and Sam Amick revealed that Los Angeles didn’t want to give both picks as they are unsure about Doncic’s contract plans.
After the 2024-25 season, the Slovenian star still has two years left in his contract, including a $48.9 million player option he can exercise in 2026. The front office didn’t have the time to find out about Doncic’s contract plans once his current deal expires.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Credit: LM Otero/Associated Press
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
