Feb. 25, 2025: Luka Dončić’s Whirlwind Start with the Lakers
When Luka Dončić received a phone call on Saturday, Feb. 1, informing him of his trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, it marked the beginning of a whirlwind 72 hours. The Slovenian star’s journey from Dallas to Los Angeles was nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nostalgia.
Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber, boarded a private jet to L.A. on Sunday evening. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager. The whirlwind continued as Dončić was whisked away to the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills, where Lakers coach JJ Redick welcomed him with a late-night visit.
Monday morning began with an 8 a.m. appointment at UCLA for an extensive physical examination. The Lakers were confident that Dončić’s left calf strain, which had sidelined him since Christmas Day, could be managed. Afterward, Dončić toured the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo, spending more time with Pelinka and Redick.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were busy preparing for their new star’s arrival. Equipment manager Brian Cuatt reached out to a local uniform finisher to get Dončić’s No. 77 jersey ready, complete with the correct accents on his last name. Although the jersey was ready in time for Dončić’s tour, he missed out on seeing the display case outside team governor Jeanie Buss’ office, which usually showcases the franchise’s 11 championship rings. The rings were on loan to UCLA Health for an event in Dubai, symbolizing the Lakers’ hopes that Dončić would help fill the case with more rings.
As Dončić settled into his new role, the Lakers prepared to host his former team, the Mavericks, in what promised to be an emotional night. The moments that have defined Dončić’s Lakers launch include his growing partnership with Lakers’ frontman LeBron James.
Feb. 4 – Los Angeles: A “Shell-Shocked” Superstar and a Dream Realized
Recognizing that Dončić was still “shell-shocked” by the trade, the Lakers kept his introductory news conference simple. Instead of a grand event, Pelinka and Dončić sat alone on barstools, fielding questions from reporters. The Lakers had a game against the LA Clippers that evening, so the team was already in game mode.
Dončić expressed his excitement about teaming up with James, whom he had admired since his rookie season. “It’s just like a dream come true,” he said. “I always look up to him. There’s so many things I could learn from him. And I’m just excited, just to learn everything and now I get to play with him. So it’s an amazing feeling.”
Despite the promising future in L.A., the fact that Dallas moved on from Dončić was perplexing. When asked about the Mavericks’ decision, Dončić took the high road, stating, “That’s their decision, so I have no comment on that. They made a decision. I don’t know why.” He also dismissed the theory that he did not plan to sign a “supermax” extension with Dallas, saying, “Absolutely not. Easy answer.”
That night, James led the Lakers to a rout of the Clippers, scoring 26 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Seated next to James at the end of the bench was Dončić, who was eager to learn from his new teammate.
Feb. 10 – Los Angeles: The First Game of the Luka-LeBron Era
Before Dončić’s first game with the Lakers, James donned a gold No. 77 T-shirt, placed on every seat in the arena to mark the occasion. The game was a blowout, with the Lakers scoring 72 points in the first half against the Jazz. Dončić, though rusty, showed flashes of brilliance, including a missile of an outlet pass to James for an easy score.
James and Dončić had texted before the game, with James offering Dončić the honor of being announced last in the starting lineup. In the pregame huddle, James encouraged Dončić to “be your f—ing self,” a message that resonated with the young star.
Feb. 12 – Salt Lake City: One Play, Even in a Loss, Shows Tantalizing Potential
Despite a loss to the Jazz, a sequence in the third quarter highlighted the potential of the James-Dončić partnership. Dončić set a screen for Austin Reaves, leading to a switch and a post-up dribble that resulted in a pass to James for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. James praised the play, emphasizing the benefits of having two high-IQ players on the team.
Feb. 13-18 – All-Star Break: A “Beast” Awakened and an Early Review from KD
During the All-Star break, Dončić took time to relax in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, while also working out with Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks. The comments from the Mavericks organization about his weight and conditioning served as motivation for Dončić, with a source close to him stating, “A beast was awakened inside him.”
Back at All-Star Weekend, the James-Dončić partnership was a hot topic, with Kevin Durant offering positive feedback. “When you’ve got talented, high-IQ guys, it’ll take some time obviously to work out the kinks, but in the long run, I think they’ll be pretty sweet together,” Durant said.
Feb. 19 – Charlotte: “Obviously, I’m Going to Need Some Time”
The Lakers’ first game after the All-Star break was a makeup against the Charlotte Hornets. Despite a loss, Dončić remained optimistic about his new role with the Lakers. “I’m happy to be here, man,” he said. “This is one of the greatest clubs in the world. I’m just happy to be here. Obviously, I’m going to need some time, but I’m happy to represent the Lakers.”
Feb. 20 – Portland: “We All Have to Transform Our Game”
With Dončić sitting out the game against the Portland Trail Blazers, James led the Lakers to a 110-102 win, becoming the first player in NBA history with multiple 40-point games after the age of 40. James emphasized the importance of Dončić being himself and the team adapting to his style of play.
Feb. 22 – Denver: A Quarterback, a Wide Receiver, and a Huge Win
In their first trip to Ball Arena since Dončić joined the team, the Lakers broke an eight-game losing streak in Denver with a 123-100 win. Dončić had 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals, while James contributed 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. The duo’s chemistry was evident, with Dončić finding James for a perfect outlet pass that set the tone for the game.
“I’m a natural-born wide receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly,” James said. Dončić added, “I’m happy to get my first alley-oop with him. Next time, he’s going to throw it to me.”
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
