Feb. 25, 2025: Luka Dončić’s Whirlwind Start with the Lakers
When Luka Dončić received a wake-up 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 a rapid transition, culminating in his introduction as the Lakers’ latest star just three days later.
Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber, who was also part of the trade, 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, a former teammate, paid a late-night visit to welcome him.
The following day, Dončić underwent an extensive physical examination at UCLA, which left the Lakers confident that his left calf strain, which had sidelined him since Christmas Day, could be managed. Afterward, he toured the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo, spending more time with Pelinka and Redick.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were busy preparing for Dončić’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. However, one highlight of the experience that Dončić missed was the display case outside team governor Jeanie Buss’ office, which was empty. The rings were on loan to UCLA Health for a public event in Dubai, symbolizing the Lakers’ hope that Dončić would fill the case with more championship 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. Here are the key moments that have defined Dončić’s Lakers launch, including his growing partnership with LeBron James.
Feb. 4, Los Angeles: A ‘Shell-Shocked’ Superstar
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 reason for the low-key approach was partly because it was a game day, with the Lakers set to play the LA Clippers later that evening.
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.”
Despite the promising future in L.A., the fact that Dallas moved on from Dončić remained perplexing. When asked about the Mavericks’ decision, Dončić chose not to engage, stating, “I always take the high road.” He also dismissed the theory that he did not plan to sign a supermax extension with Dallas, saying, “Absolutely not.”
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 James described as his “favorite player in the NBA.”
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. Although Dončić was rusty, he contributed with an and-one layup, driving by Jordan Clarkson and drawing a foul from John Collins.
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: A Tantalizing Potential
Despite considering sitting out the game in Utah, both James and Dončić decided to play, showing their commitment to the team. Although the Lakers lost 131-119, James pointed to a sequence in the third quarter that highlighted their potential. Dončić set a screen for Austin Reaves, leading to a switch and a pass to James for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
James praised the chemistry between him and Dončić, stating, “That’s a beautiful thing.” The duo’s ability to find open teammates and create opportunities was evident, even in a loss.
Feb. 13-18, All-Star Break: A ‘Beast’ Awakened
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. Despite not publicly addressing the Mavericks’ comments about his weight and conditioning, a source close to Dončić revealed that the remarks had motivated him. “A beast was awakened inside him,” the source said.
Back at All-Star Weekend, the James-Dončić partnership was a hot topic, with Kevin Durant praising their potential. “When you’ve got talented, high-IQ guys, it’ll take some time 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 100-97 loss, Dončić remained optimistic about his new team. “I’m happy to be here, man,” he said. “This is one of the greatest clubs in the world.”
The Lakers’ offense struggled, shooting 15-for-51 on 3-pointers and committing 18 turnovers. Coach Redick acknowledged the challenges of integrating new pieces, stating, “That’s just the reality of just having six days off as a group.”
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, stating, “We need to figure it out with you.”
After the game, James checked in with Dončić, who replied that he planned to get some sleep, highlighting his dedication to recovery and preparation.
Feb. 22, Denver: A Quarterback, a Wide Receiver, and a Huge Win
The Lakers broke their losing streak in Denver with a 123-100 win over the Nuggets. 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 up an easy dunk.
James described their partnership as a natural fit, likening it to a quarterback and wide receiver. Dončić expressed his excitement about their first alley-oop together, joking that next time, James would throw it to him.
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
