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Luka Dončić says he was just as shocked as the rest of the basketball world when the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although the trade was first reported over the weekend, Dončić officially joined the Lakers on Tuesday, and says he is already excited about a new chapter with LeBron James and his famed new team.
“[News of the trade] was a big shock,” Dončić said. “It was hard moments for me. I had to check if it was [April Fools’ Day] … [But now] I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.”
The Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal to acquire Dončić, who won his first scoring title last season before leading the Mavs to the NBA finals. Dončić, still only 25, is a five-time All-NBA selection.
Stars of Dončić’s age and accomplishments are almost never traded, but Dallas decided to move on from their franchise star – and the Lakers eagerly accepted. Dončić acknowledged he was stunned.
“Honestly, it was hard at first,” Dončić said. “That first day was really hard. I felt like these last 48 hours was one month. Emotionally, it was really hard, but today was much better. I’m just very happy to be here for this opportunity. This is the Lakers. It’s one of the best clubs in history, so I’m excited to be here.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka didn’t hide his excitement at landing Dončić when they met with the media at the team’s training complex.
“We have one of the game’s biggest superstars and an international player coming to join the Lakers,” Pelinka said. “I think it’s going to be something incredibly special that the NBA and basketball has never seen before.”
The trade stunned the sports world, leaving many Mavs fans furious. Reports around the trade – which indicated the Mavericks were unhappy with Dončić’s commitment to his fitness – infuriated the player’s father, Sasa, who said his son “absolutely did not deserve this.”
Dončić hasn’t played since Christmas because of a calf strain, but he is thought to be close to a return to the court. 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.
The Lakers also acquired Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the trade with Dallas.
