Luka Dončić was moved from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the trade deadline in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. The move paired the five-time first-team All-NBA guard with LeBron James, forming one of the most talented duos in the league.
While the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the postseason, they now have their star of the future in Dončić. He recently appeared on his co-star’s “Mind the Game” podcast, where he discussed playing with the four-time MVP.
“I mean, it’s great,” Luka Dončić revealed Sunday. “I’ve never played with a guy like this and just being traded to here, to LA, it was different, but just to play with guys like him, it’s unbelievable. I could learn so (much) stuff. First of all, off the court — all the things he does just to be ready for the game. And, obviously, on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is.”
Dončić added what stands about playing with James.
“Well, first of all, he shows up like ten hours before the game,” Dončić continued. “So, I mean, that was really the main (thing). I was (like), ‘what?’ I came to the arena, he was already done working out.”
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Los Angeles’ newest star admitted that the pairing — along with Austin Reaves — remains a work in progress. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will have his hands full as he looks to retool the roster around Dončić’s strengths to maximize the final years of James’ career.
The franchise is expected to be in the market for a center after receiving minimal production from the position during the postseason. The Lakers’ starting center, Jaxson Hayes, played just 31 minutes over the five playoff games, while backup Alex Len played four minutes — all of which came during garbage time.
More NBA: Lakers star Luka Dončić opens up on the best, worst part about playing in Los Angeles
