Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and Luka Doncic sat in high chairs, side-by-side, to address the media.
DALLAS — Luka Doncic is now a Los Angeles Laker. And now he’ll don the purple and gold.
The Lakers introduced Doncic at a press conference Tuesday morning. WFAA streamed full coverage of the press conference, including live reaction and analysis, on the WFAA+ streaming app.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and Doncic sat in high chairs, side-by-side, to address the media. Pelinka opened the press conference saying that Doncic joining the Lakers is a seismic event in the history of the NBA. He touted Doncic’s global superstardom joining “the popular and influential basketball brand on the globe.”
Pelinka thanked Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Mavericks GM Nico Harrison for their roles in the trade.
Doncic said he was excited to start a new journey with the Lakers and enjoyed his moments in Dallas with his former teammates. Doncic said playing alongside LeBron James is a “dream come true.” Doncic said he’s always looked up to James. He said the basketball IQs of James and himself should make those around them better.
Doncic said the first day since hearing the news of his trade was “really hard.” He said the last 48 hours felt like a whole month had passed by. Doncic said it has been hard for him emotionally but he’s feeling better and happy for the opportunity to be a Laker.
Doncic said he was almost asleep when he got called and he was surprised.
“I had to make sure it wasn’t April 1st,” Doncic said. “I didn’t really believe it at first. It was a big shock. [Dallas] was home. It was a hard moment for me, especially the first day.”
Doncic reiterated that he thought Dallas would be his home for his entire career and “loyalty is a big word” for him, but being traded to the Lakers is a fresh start.
“I got the ocean here,” Doncic quipped.
When asked about Nico Harrison’s decision to trade him, Doncic said he did not have any comment, but said he did not know why Harrison decided to do the trade.
“That’s [Harrison’s] decision, so I can’t do anything about it,” Doncic said.
Doncic was also asked about the reported concern that he would not sign the supermax deal he was in line for, which he immediately started shaking his head at. Doncic was asked if he or anyone on his team gave any indication that he might not sign it, and Doncic responded “absolutely not.”
Pelinka said Doncic was considered day-to-day for a return to the court in a Lakers uniform.
Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas because of a calf strain. The Lakers have four games in the Los Angeles area in the next seven days, including a road game against the Clippers on Tuesday night.
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Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris were traded to the Lakers in exchange for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick in a move confirmed Saturday night. The trade was a three-team deal that also included the Utah Jazz.
ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon, a longtime member of the Mavericks press corps, shed some light on why exactly this trade was executed, including reporting a quote from Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
Harrison emphasized defense as a motivating factor for trading Doncic in a deal for center Anthony Davis, one of the top defensive players in the NBA.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told MacMahon. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
The Mavericks posted on social media that Davis and Christie has joined up with the team in Philadelphia on their current road trip. Davis could make his Mavericks debut sometime this week.