People around the NBA will always talk about the shocking tectonic trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in early February. It drastically changed the fortunes of both teams, and as far as the Lakers are concerned, it restored their mystique after several disappointing seasons following their 2020 NBA championship.
There seems to be a sentiment that Doncic is tailor-made for L.A. with his killer instinct and occasional flashy passes that remind some of Magic Johnson. He has made it clear that he wants to bring championships to Los Angeles, and thanks to his new three-year contract extension, he should remain a member of the team for quite a while.
Former Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic, who, like Doncic, is from Slovenia, went on ESPN L.A. 710 and said that while Dallas may not be big enough for Doncic, the five-time All-Star is the perfect man to lead the Purple and Gold back to glory. Vujacic even said Doncic has a little of what made Kobe Bryant, Vujacic’s former teammate, an all-time great.
“And I think that — not to diss Dallas — but I think Luka’s light and capability were way too big for the Dallas spotlight. I think Luka is the perfect guy that we need in L.A. to carry us to that next championship. And I said it a long time ago when I watched him play — there are glimpses I see from Kobe, like in his eyes. He plays with a smile, but he wants to kill you. There was a saying in our locker room — you smell blood, you go at them — and I think Luka is one of those few individuals in the league that has that demeanor, and has that mindset of trying to go to the next level. I think it’s going to be a fun year, and I’m really happy he’s with us.”
Despite being hobbled and out of shape last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game after he was sent to L.A. He played a total of just 50 games all year, partly due to a calf strain that kept him out for roughly seven weeks, and it was the first time since his rookie year that he wasn’t voted onto the All-Star team.
He has gotten into outstanding shape this summer, which has led plenty around the league to predict an MVP-caliber 2025-26 season for him. The hope in Los Angeles is that such a season from Doncic would be enough to deliver the Lakers their 18th world championship.