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Luka Doncic didn’t exactly tiptoe around the comparison.
In an interview with Slovenian outlet SportKlub during All-Star Weekend, the Lakers star said he believes the organization is “better” in Los Angeles, then doubled down with praise that lands like a not-so-subtle dig at the Dallas Mavericks.
“I think the organization is better here. The Lakers are a truly legendary club and the organization is legendary too,” Doncic said.
That’s the kind of quote that travels fast, especially given the emotional scar tissue still attached to Doncic’s exit from Dallas.
Lakers News: What Luka Doncic said and why it’s being read as a Mavericks shot
SportKlub’s story frames Doncic as speaking plainly, and the key line is the one that stings for Mavs fans: better organization here.
The timing matters, too. Dallas and L.A. have already met this season, and the Mavericks’ slide against the Lakers since the trade has only intensified the spotlight. Reuters noted Dallas is now 0-5 vs. the Lakers since dealing Doncic to Los Angeles.
So when Doncic publicly labels the Lakers “legendary,” it doesn’t just read like hometown hype. It reads like a verdict.
Luka Doncic News: Star sends message ahead of strech run
The Lakers are moving into the post-All-Star portion of the season with two huge variables:
When Doncic is back at full strength. He recently missed multiple games with a mild hamstring strain and had All-Star participation discussed in the context of a minutes restriction.
What the Lakers look like when he’s fully unleashed again. Doncic has been producing at an MVP level; He’s averaging 32.8 points per game (league-leading) with 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds.
The Lakers resume their season with a matchup against the Clippers, and Doncic is expected to be available.
If he’s truly trending toward full-go, that changes everything about L.A.’s ceiling, and it makes his “better organization” comment feel like more than talk. It feels like buy-in.
The money/contract mechanics that make Luka’s comments even louder
Here’s the part that adds teeth: by leaving Dallas, Doncic also left behind the cleanest path to a massive Mavericks supermax.
It’s been previously reported Doncic could have lined up a five-year deal worth about $346 million tied to the 2026-27 season if he stayed with Dallas, a record-level number.
Instead, his Lakers future now revolves around different pivot points, including an extension window and longer-term max pathways SportKlub outlined (with projections that depend on timing and options).
So when Doncic says the Lakers are “better” organizationally, it’s not just vibes. It’s a superstar signaling comfort with the franchise he’s now tethered to, competitively and financially.
What happens next: all eyes shift to Doncic’s availability coming out of the break and whether the Lakers can translate the “legendary organization” talk into a legitimate surge up the West standings.
Doncic’s praise also reinforces what the Lakers have tried to sell since day one: that stars come to L.A. because the infrastructure matches the spotlight. For Dallas, the quote reopens old wounds, not just about losing a generational talent, but about why he was willing to embrace a new home so quickly.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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