After spending the first half of the year with a Dallas Mavericks franchise that reached the NBA Finals in 2024, Doncic landed with the Los Angeles Lakers in a shocking pre-trade deadline deal.
Following a disappointing first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 26-year-old standout point guard took a minute to discuss the unexpected midseason blockbuster deal.
“I’m mentally kind of exhausted from everything that happened,” Doncic said. “I know a lot of people won’t believe me, but I am. I think now it’s time to process everything.”
“I don’t know what I learned. Like I said, I think now is the time to process everything. Just emotionally, going through it all, looking back. I’ll let you know in the preseason what I learned about myself.”
During a recent episode of the popular Mind the Game podcast, Doncic provided fans with new insights on the mind-blowing Feb. 2 development.
It’s great (playing with LeBron James) Doncic said Sunday. “I’ve never played with a guy like this, just being traded to L.A., it was different, but getting to play with guys like him, it’s unbelievable.”
“I can learn so many stuff, you know. First off all, off the court, you know all the things he does just to be ready for the game, and obviously on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is.”
While Doncic has received scrutiny for his fitness and below-average on-ball defense, it would be preposterous to suggest he didn’t help brighten Los Angeles’ future.
As good as James is, the 40-year-old superstar forward is nearing the end of his illustrious two-decade-long NBA career, forcing the Lakers to prepare for life without arguably the best player of all time.
With Doncic, a gifted playmaker and intelligent ball-screen operator, joining the Lakers in an unprecedented fashion, the organization will be in tremendous hands once James retires from the league.
Doncic was excellent for Los Angeles during the regular season, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point land.
Although the Lakers’ championship quest ended in the opening round of the postseason, Doncic was the franchise’s most productive postseason contributor.
The 2018 lottery pick contributed 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, drilling 45.2% of his field goals and 34.8% of his three-point field goals.
If Doncic secures an extension with the Lakers this summer, it’ll be safe to say that the five-time All-Star will be a Laker for years to come
