Luka Dončić was introduced on Tuesday as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers, following Saturday night’s shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks that shook the NBA.
Sitting on a dais alongside Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, Dončić said he would “take the high road” in response to comments about him from the Mavericks after the trade was made.
“At some point, I knew this was going to happen, but I always take the high road,” Dončić said. “I had my amazing moments in Dallas with my teammates, coaches and, most importantly, the fans. They always supported me. It was an amazing journey.”
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison cited defense as a major reason for getting forward Anthony Davis from the Lakers in the trade, and several reports circulated afterward regarding Dončić’s conditioning and off-the-court predilections, and how those may have affected his tendency to get injured and ability to stay in shape.
Dončić said he has always looked up to new teammate LeBron James and called it “a dream come true” to play with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Though he said he hasn’t had much time to think about basketball since the whirlwind circumstances of the trade, Dončić has thought about how he and James will work together on the court.
“I’m excited to learn from him,” he said. “We both make our teammates better. Our IQ is very high.”
Aware of the criticisms about his conditioning and dedication to basketball, Dončić said proving those detractors wrong was a “motive” as he joined the Lakers. Pelinka added that at 25 years old, Dončić has so much growth ahead of him.
“Greatness is an evolution and a process,” he said. “You’re going to have challenges to get better until you don’t play anymore.”
Pelinka did not give an exact date for when Dončić would make his Lakers debut, but said the team’s sports performance department was working on a timeline. The team has scheduled Dončić to participate in a 5-on-5 scrimmage soon.
“I’m hearing he’s targeting next week, the Lakers play at home against Utah next Monday, and on the road in Utah next Wednesday, a potential return from his calf injury.”
–@MarcJSpears on Luka’s potential debut for the Lakers pic.twitter.com/jKFv9e6PUA
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 3, 2025
Dončić has been sidelined by a calf injury since Christmas Day. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported that the star guard is targeting a return before the NBA All-Star break, possibly on Feb. 10 when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz. The Lakers also visit the Jazz on Feb. 13, if the team prefers that he makes his debut on the road.
The Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET, with the game to be televised on TNT.
