Dončić to Lakers in blockbuster
On Feb. 2, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the sports world after landing Slovenian Superstar Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks which sent all-star forward Anthony Davis the other way. Mavericks general manager (GM) Nico Harrison, amidst immense backlash from fans after trading their franchise cornerstone, believes that bringing in a top-tier rim protector in Davis is a win-now move. For the Lakers, GM Rob Pelinka took a gamble on a generational talent that will alter the outlook of the franchise for years to come.
Harrison’s main concern with committing to Dončić was his physical condition, but most saw him as untouchable due to his elite level of play. Despite exceeding the Mavericks’ ideal weight class by 35 pounds, Dončić had a historic 2024 season, leading the league in scoring (33.9 PPG), ranking first among guards in rebounds (9.2) and second in assists (9.8). His ability to draw in defenses gives the Lakers an immediate lob threat and a plethora of pick-and-roll weapons. Dylan Michelini Jackson (’27) shares his expectations on Dončić’s impact.
“It utterly shocked me when I heard about it,” said Michileni-Jackson. “I couldn’t believe it. He’ll work so well and flow so evenly with the Lakers' offense. His on-the-court IQ is so insanely high that it will be a perfect match with Lebron's veteran knowledge. The Lakers are definitely gonna be a team to watch out for in the playoffs.”
Art by Raha Ghoroghchian
Dončić got off to a slow start in LA, averaging just 14 PPG in limited minutes, but a statement win over the Denver Nuggets saw him flourish for the first time post-injury. In his first unrestricted game, Dončić produced a 32-point near triple-double. More importantly, the mismatches he created offensively helped the Lakers to steamroll their way past the team that has been their Achilles heel since the turn of the decade; in fact, the Lakers had lost 13 of their previous 14 matchups with the Nuggets. The main criticism of the Lakers following the trade was the fact that they lost their toughest defensive presence in lieu of Dončić, a perennially lackluster defender, but the performance in Denver seemed to alleviate these worries. With a much smaller and more flexible lineup, the Lakers were in constant rotation guarding back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic in the halfcourt, scrambling to double-team and negate his lob threat whenever possible. Even Dončić was switching effectively, helping hold Jokić to just 13 points and six turnovers in his worst game of the season so far. On the other end, Dončić appeared to return to his sharpshooting self, hitting stepback threes and barking at defenders along the way. Dončić proved to be a nightmare to defend one-on-one, yet swarming him is a risk due to his exceptional playmaking. Pair that with the veteran leadership of LeBron James, and you have a free-flowing, constantly evolving system that only has room to grow.
With Dončić, it isn’t just about his individual talent; he elevates his teammates to the next level. The Lakers have the highest defensive rating in the NBA across their last 15 games and have won 20 of their last 25 to jump to third in the Western Conference. Roen Peralta (’25) gives her insight on their championship potential.
“If Luka keeps up the same kind of momentum he created in that Nuggets game, I think we have a good shot [at the title]” Peralta said. “The Mavericks represented the west in the finals last year with Luka at the helm; now Luka is running our ship along with the experience of LeBron and our exciting younger core. I think the rest of the league should be scared.”