Luka Doncic experienced a major disruption when he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks — the team he had called home for seven years and where he envisioned spending his entire career — to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.

While the Slovenian still put up impressive numbers of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game for the Lakers in the second half of the season, his teammate LeBron James knew there were levels he still could get to, especially once he got acclimated to his new surroundings.

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Judging from his remarkable showing this season, James was absolutely right.

Comfortable in L.A.

Trades happen all the time, and Doncic’s move showed that no superstar is safe. However, what isn’t often discussed is how getting moved from one place to another impacts players; in Doncic’s case, everything he built in seven years was taken away and replaced by the bright lights and big expectations of Hollywood.

As someone who has played for three teams in his illustrious 23-year career, James knows how jarring change can be, and Doncic was no different. However, with a full offseason to get to know everyone on his team and embrace expectations, he entered the 2025-26 campaign with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

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“I just think his level of comfort now within the organization has allowed him to play free basketball. It’s simple. He’s comfortable being there now,” LeBron said on the “Mind The Game” podcast.​

“He’s comfortable being a Laker. Comfortable in his home. Comfortable with his teammates. Comfortable being himself — opening up. He just looks free,” he continued. “And that does wonders for your game. When you not only feel free, but feel accepted as well, everything changes.”

Averaging a league-leading 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, including a blistering March in which he scored 37.5 points a game, Doncic has vaulted himself into the MVP conversation, carving out a space for himself alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.

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“You’ve got to remember — he spent seven or eight years in one organization thinking, ‘I’m going to be here my whole career.’ Then suddenly, overnight, it’s over,” James added. “That takes an adjustment.”

Weight has been lifted

With his mind, role and goals for the season clear, Doncic embarked on a campaign to remember. Established as the Lakers’ primary scorer and playmaker, he hasn’t been hesitant to grab the reins and be what he had always been in Dallas: the man.

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“You can see it — it’s like a weight has been lifted. He’s free again. Just back to being Luka Doncic — the Don, out there playing in rhythm and flow. And it shows up every night,” LeBron noted.

“You look at the scoreboard — 35, eight and seven. 40, 10 and eight. 45, 11 and seven. And it’s not forced. It’s not like he’s taking 40 or 45 shots. It’s all within the flow of the game,” he continued.

Doncic’s dream season, though, came to a screeching halt last week when he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which put him out of commission for the remainder of the regular season. And even though he’s doing everything he can to return to action, with Austin Reaves also out with an oblique injury, the Lakers’ postseason chances aren’t looking good.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.