While Lakers fans were excited to see Luka Dončić in purple and gold after last season’s midseason trade, the Slovenian star was dealing with a bevy of feelings during the 2024-25 NBA season.
After that initial shock and his first game back in Dallas, Luka was able to have a strong season with the Lakers. He’s now the centerpiece for this team and he’s committed not only to his new franchise but to himself.
Virtually everyone has discussed the Luka trade, the breakup with the Mavericks and his new slim look, even now including one of the unlikeliest of sources in NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
On Tuesday, Jayson Gay of the Wall Street Journal had a feature on Luka that included a quote from Silver, who mentioned how this shocking trade was the push Luka needed and how it provides him an opportunity to start again in this new chapter of his NBA career in Los Angeles.
The only person Luka has to prove anything to is himself, but it has to feel good to hear praise from someone who runs the NBA.
Ultimately, Luka couldn’t control what happened to him, but he can take charge of his future. He’s committed to the Lakers and he now has the keys to the most iconic franchise in basketball.
That’s a great place to be and with the rest of the league, including the commissioner, watching, Luka appears ready to go on a tear this upcoming year.