Luka Dončić arrives in Los Angeles after stunning commerce ushering a brand new period in Lakers lore – NBC Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers latest celebrity has formally arrived to the Metropolis of Angels.

Lower than 24 hours after one of many most stunning trades in NBA historical past went down late Saturday night time, Luka Dončić, the town’s latest star touched down in Tinseltown on Sunday night time. 

Dončić arrived in model, after a personal jet was despatched to choose up the Serbian basketball participant together with teammate Maxi Kleber from Dallas. Clad in a black hoodie, Dončić flashed the LA hand gesture that’s positive to make headlines tomorrow, whereas concurrently breaking the hearts of his loyal followers again in Dallas. 

The blockbuster deal between the Lakers and Mavericks despatched Dončić to L.A. in alternate for All-Star middle Anthony Davis, a 2029 first-round choose, and Max Christie. The Utah Jazz had been additionally a part of the commerce, buying Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, in addition to two second-round draft picks. 

For the Lakers, this can be a seismic shift. Dončić, simply 25 years outdated, is a five-time All-NBA First Workforce choice and one of the vital dominant offensive forces within the sport. Whereas Davis has been a cornerstone for Los Angeles, accidents and long-term issues might have performed a task within the entrance workplace’s choice to safe a youthful franchise centerpiece. 

Dončić was reportedly shocked by the transfer, and has not answered calls from his former boss Nico Harrison, or head coach Jason Kidd. Along with the shock choice to ship him out of Dallas, the transfer additionally comes with a pricey value for the all-world level guard. 

By leaving Dallas, Dončić provides up the potential of signing a five-year, $345 million supermax contract extension this summer season. As a substitute, essentially the most the Lakers can provide him is 5 years at roughly $230 million—a staggering $115 million distinction.

Whereas that monetary issue loomed over commerce discussions, Dončić’s long-term match as the subsequent nice Lakers celebrity as soon as LeBron James decides to retire made the deal too attractive to cross up for Lakers’ common supervisor Rob Pelinka. 

The commerce additionally reunites Dončić along with his former teammate in Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick. Dončić and Redick performed alongside one another with the Mavericks in 20221, the final season of the latter’s profession. 

Dončić’s arrival ushers in a brand new period in Lakers basketball historical past. The Lakers latest celebrity has arrived, and hopefully he can be right here to remain (Dončić can grow to be a free agent after the 2026 season if he does night time signal an extension earlier than then). 

The following massive query can be how Dončić matches alongside James, two ball-dominant gamers. Additionally, will the Lakers make extra strikes earlier than the Feb. 6 commerce deadline to exchange the protection and rim safety they misplaced by sending Davis to Dallas. Time will inform on each of these issues, however what’s for sure is that one of many NBA’s largest stars simply landed in Hollywood, and the league won’t ever be the identical once more.