Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss revealed that Luka Doncic had one of the toughest adjustments of any player after arriving in Los Angeles.
Speaking on Slovenian Radio, Buss explained that the trade which sent Doncic from Dallas to the Lakers last February caught the All-Star guard off guard.
“Nobody knew the trade was going to happen. I knew but Luka didn’t know. I’ve never had a player come to the Lakers & be as sad as he was because the trade was a huge surprise to him, so he had to process it,” Buss said.
The blockbuster deal sent Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie, along with draft compensation. It marked the first time in league history that two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason.
Doncic, who had spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks prior to the move, needed time to adapt to his new environment. Buss added that his outlook has since changed. “I think now he’s embraced the Lakers and he’s all about LA.”
The 26-year-old guard debuted for the Lakers on February 10 against Utah and quickly made his mark. On February 25, he posted a triple-double against his former team, highlighting his ability to impact winning from multiple areas of the floor.
He later scored 45 points in an April matchup against Dallas, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to score 45 or more both for and against the same team in the same season.
In the playoffs, Doncic averaged 30.2 points across five games against Minnesota despite battling a back injury, further solidifying his role as the centerpiece of the Lakers’ future.
This summer, Doncic agreed to a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers that includes a player option. The deal confirmed his long-term commitment to Los Angeles following an emotional first season.
Currently, Doncic is representing Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025, where he opened the group stage with 34 points in a loss to Poland.
