Luka Doncic has wasted no time getting buckets for the Los Angeles Lakers. The five-time All-Star is averaging 26.9 points on 41.3 percent shooting with 8.7 rebounds and 7.9 assists over 17 games since the Lakers shockingly acquired him at the trade deadline.
The Dallas Mavericks dealt Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morriss to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Since then, the Lakers (43-27) have maintained playoff positioning as the Western Conference’s fourth seed while the Mavericks (34-37) have fallen to 11th.
Doncic has one more year in his contract before a player option in 2026, but his father Sasa Doncic suggested that he could be in Los Angeles for a long time.
Luka was born to be in Los Angeles,” he said. “This city is made for him and it fits well with his character. I believe he’ll succeed here.
While Doncic’s long-term future is unknown, he’s currently the head of a formidable trio with LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
The five-time All-NBA First Teamer was drafted No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 before they traded him to Dallas. He and Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season but lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
The Lakers will face the Orlando Magic on the road on Monday night before traveling to play the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday and the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
