When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic in a deal involving Anthony Davis with the Dallas Mavericks, it shocked the NBA world. It was perhaps the biggest trade in NBA history, a very strange situation that went down for all parties involved. However, for the Lakers, it was a no-brainer deal to make, despite how talented the future Hall of Famer in Davis is.
Regarding Doncic, it had to be a weird year for the superstar. Whether it be because of the trade, feeling like the Mavericks gave up on him, or all the scrutiny he took from Dallas in the media, there had to be some emotions.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, one source said that this was the most unexpected year of his life, and he’s happy to finally get a breath. However, he later added that Doncic plans to play in Eurobasket this year, a surprising decision after everything that’s gone down.
“He will spend the summer playing for the Slovenian men’s national basketball team at EuroBasket, sources said. He’ll be accompanied by members of his “body team” — Slovenian national team strength coach Anže Maček and physiotherapist Javier Barrio Calvo — throughout the offseason,” he wrote.
James Has Plenty to Say
Regarding his future in Los Angeles, the team has to make an effort to not only keep LeBron James happy, but also Doncic. The Los Angeles Lakers, who know how to attract star talent more than anyone, should be able to do what’s needed to keep him around.
However, speaking to ESPN, James noted that it isn’t his job to tell the Lakers what to do on Doncic’s future or tell him what he should do.
James continued by saying that he’s 40 years old and Doncic 26, so he shouldn’t be considering his future with James in mind.
“No, that ain’t my job,” James told ESPN. “I think … I don’t think, I know, Luka knows how I feel about him. And ultimately, that trade happened for the future. That’s not for me. Luka has to decide what he has to do with his future. He’s [26] years old, I’m 40, so he can’t be basing his career off me. That’s just real.
“But I hope, obviously, [he stays long term]. Laker fans f—ing love him here. L.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he’s got to make a decision for him. S—, I ain’t going to be around much longer.”
Should Lakers Be Worried About Losing Doncic?
With what the Dallas Mavericks did, it seems all but safe to say that Doncic would want to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, he stated multiple times after the trade that he was frustrated with the decision and wanted to retire as a member of the Mavericks, but that doesn’t mean that he wants to return to the team now.
If the Lakers are willing to give him the money he’s looking for, which is all but guaranteed, and they put together a competent team around him, there’s no reason why he won’t finish his career, or at least the next few seasons, in a Lakers jersey.
Lakers’ LeBron James Makes Massive Luka Doncic Announcement