Like the late Kobe Bryant did with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic‘s original aim with the Dallas Mavericks was to remain and play for the team for the duration of his career. However, the franchise that traded him for Anthony Davis didn’t have the same vision as the one that chose him. ESPN’s Shams Charania thinks Doncic can still accomplish his goals with the Los Angeles team despite the Lakers’ betrayal of him.
Doncic has started getting used to his new team, as he’s played in eight games since he was traded. During that stretch, he gradually found his groove on the court, averaging 22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. His shot hasn’t been the most reliable as he’s only made 39.2% of his field goals and 27.1% of his 3-pointers.
According to Charania, there’s a big chance Doncic can still fulfill his “one team, one city forever” mindset with the Lakers.
“Mark Cuban said once, ‘I would rather get a divorce than to trade Luka Doncic,’” Charania said (2:53). ‘”I wanted to retire Luka Doncic’s jersey.’ And I know in talking to people on Luka Doncic over the last 72 hours — I was at that Lakers-Clippers game on Sunday — he had no intention ever of leaving Dallas. He had just bought a new home in Dallas for a lofty, lofty price. He did not want to go anywhere.
“You think of a player coming from abroad, they’re very committed. They’re loyal, and that’s how he viewed himself with the Mavericks. It’s like one team, one city forever, and I think that’s gonna carry over to the Lakers. I think he’s loving his time in L.A. I think he’s loving how the Lakers — you think about what the Lakers brand is. It’s like treating stars like stars — it’s Hollywood. It’s making the star players bigger than life, and that’s what we’re gonna see with Luka Doncic.”
NBA reporter believes Doncic is bringing something new to the Los Angeles Lakers
With Doncic, he provides a certain showmanship that captures fan attention. Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, more and more fans have tuned in to their games. According to NBA reporter Mike Bresnahan, the five-time All-Star brings something unique that has affected the fans positively.
“I think people are just excited about the way they’re playing. Luka is a very animated player,” Bresnahan said.
“This is nothing against Anthony Davis, but AD was very chill, very low key. Luka last night, first quarter, I think it was, he’s like pounding his chest, looking at the Clippers bench… This is the emotion you didn’t get from Anthony Davis, a very gifted player in his own right. But Luca is bringing like some some excitement, just something new, something fans are still getting used to, different edge, different edge.”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
