The basketball universe was rocked when Luka Doncic apparently agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers” in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, MySportDab Reports.
The decision, announced over the weekend, was formally revealed on Tuesday, with Lakers star LeBron James expressing enthusiasm about his new partnership.
In a postgame interview after Williams led the Lakers to a 12-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, James said the transition had been emotional. “It’s been tough, for sure,” said the 40-year-old. “I spent six amazing years with AD. He’s one of my best friends, and we won a championship together. But it’s the business of basketball, and we get that.”
James, though, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for teaming up with 25-year-old Doncic, arguably one of the league’s whitest stars. “It’s going to be special,” he said. “It’s going to make life easier for our teammates when you can score, you can rebound, you can pass. Luka is a top-tier player, and he isn’t even in his prime yet. LA is lucky to have him.”
Dončić, who has not played since Dec. 25 with a calf injury, sat this one out and watched from the sideline.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka suggested the Slovenian playmaker was close to making his debut, with some reports saying he could be back to play the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
The trade is also the beginning of a new era in Los Angeles for the Lakers as James and the likely successor to him, Doncic — forming the league’s most dynamic duo — attracts the attention of many. “It’s surreal,” James said of the collaboration. “But we’re here to lead, create opportunities for our teammates and chase championships.”
With the Lakers gearing towards a strong second-half push, we’re calling on the James-Doncic tandem to live up to their gargantuan potential.
