According to multiple reports on Luka Doncic’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks, the perennial MVP contender was “never made available” to any team except for the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN’s report on how the trade was formulated states that the idea was privately floated to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in January. A short month later, Los Angeles acquired Doncic in a move that sent shockwaves across the NBA.
ESPN reported that league officials described the trade as “unfathomable” and were left “stunned.” Doncic, who has emerged as one of the best players in the league, was put on the trading block, and none of the 28 teams outside the Lakers even caught a whiff of the deal until it was done.
According to reports, Utah Jazz president Danny Ainge did not know the team was facilitating a trade that would send Doncic to the Lakers until shortly before the deal was finalized.
Doncic has come to life with the Lakers and is leading the league in scoring in what is his first full season in Los Angeles. But the Slovenian guard fully planned on spending the rest of his career with the Mavericks. He expressed his wish to win a championship for the city in a social media post.
“I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” Doncic wrote. “… In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
Luka Doncic records a Lakers career-high, extending their winning streak
Luka Doncic recorded his career high for the Lakers on Thursday, finishing with 60 points, seven rebounds and three assists as he led the team to a 134-126 win against the Miami Heat.
The Lakers extended their winning streak to eight, holding third place in the Western Conference with a 45-25 record. Doncic has recorded 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game over this stretch.
Los Angeles will return to action against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
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