LIVE: Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers press conference | FOX 4 News
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Luka Dončić is expected to answer questions from reporters for the first time since he was shockingly traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reports say Dončić, like the rest of us, was blindsided by the deal.
The Lakers are holding an introductory news conference for Dončić at 11 a.m. central time.
The deal between the Mavericks and Lakers was first reported late Saturday night before the teams confirmed the deal the next day.
Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick.
The Lakers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, but Dončić is not expected to play.
At this point, it is not clear when Dončić will suit up in the purple and gold for the first time.
Luka has not played since Christmas Day with a calf injury.
NBA reporter Marc Stein reported that Dončić had been targeting a return to court on Feb. 8.
If that is the case, the Lakers will be playing former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center.
The next game between the Mavs and Lakers is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Los Angeles.
The two teams will play at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on April 9.
Dončić is one of the NBA's biggest young stars, being named first team All-NBA in each of the last 5 seasons.
He also led the Mavericks to playoff success, with a trip to the NBA Finals last season and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.
In his career in Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic’s 28.6-point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain - both at 30.1.
Dončić has battled injuries throughout his time in the NBA.
He has played in just 22 of the Mavericks' 49 games this season. He has not played since injuring his calf on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In those 22 games this season, Dončić has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.
With Mavs head coach Jason Kidd by his side, Nico Harrison opened up a news conference on Sunday by saying he understands the magnitude of the trade, but believes the trade sets up the culture he wants to see in the Mavericks.
"We've had a vision and a culture that we've wanted to create since we've been here and the players that we're bringing in we believe exemplify that," Harrison said. "We think defense wins championships, and we're bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league."
Harrison did stop short of saying that Luka did not fit the culture the Mavericks are trying to build.
Many have speculated that Dončić may have asked to be traded or told the Mavericks that he would not accept a contract extension when his current deal expires in a year and a half. Harrison said there had been no "verbal" indication that Dončić did not plan to take the extension.
Harrison also said he only spoke to the Lakers about a possible deal.
The Mavericks GM says when he first presented the idea to Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont he laughed at him, but that he trusted Harrison to pull the trigger on the deal.
"I'm the one making the decision," Harrison said. "Time will tell if I'm right."