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“For Kobe to even know my name was such an incredible moment for me. I really wish he and Gigi could have been here to witness this occasion.”
From the outset of his introductory press conference with the Lakers, Luka Doncic paid homage to the franchise’s rich history, recalling his memorable encounter with the legendary Kobe Bryant.
Now part of the Lakers, Doncic will share the court with LeBron James—something few expected mere days ago. The Slovenian star expressed, “It’s truly a dream come true. I’ve always admired him, and there’s so much I can gain from playing alongside him. It’s an exhilarating experience.”
Conversely, Doncic acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Dallas, confessing, “To be honest, it was tough. The first day was particularly challenging. Those past 48 hours felt like an entire month. But today has been much more positive, and I’m thrilled about this new opportunity. The Lakers are one of the greatest franchises in history.”
In a twist of fate, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who introduced Doncic to the press, expressed gratitude to Dallas GM Nico Harrison for facilitating the trade and remarked, “I believe Luka Doncic joining the Los Angeles Lakers is a landmark moment in NBA history.”
Doncic clarified that he had not signaled to the Mavericks that he would decline a contract extension, stating, “Absolutely not,” and shared that he learned of the trade while winding down for the night: “Everyone was caught off guard, and I was no exception. I was nearly asleep when they called. I had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. It was hard to accept at first; I was in shock—it felt like home.”
He also mentioned that comments regarding his conditioning in Dallas served as a significant motivator for him.
When asked if he felt the need to prove anything, he smiled and replied, “Win a championship. I’m here for nothing less than that, so I have everything to show. The ultimate goal is to secure a championship.”
