Luka Doncic was never thought to be available, so when the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers it changed the landscape of the NBA.
Not only did the Lakers find their next franchise cornerstone, but the rest of the league will now feel emboldened to make big moves in hopes of competing. For Los Angeles and Doncic, the partnership is a match made in heaven as the franchise understands how to cater to stars while Luka’s flashy playstyle and demeanor fit the team’s Hollywood persona.
Doncic is one of the most surgical offensive weapons in the league as he can score at any spot on the floor but can also make defenses pay with his playmaking ability. His combination of size, strength and vision give him access to passes other players can’t make and as a result he can generate a quality look on nearly every possession. LeBron James added that Doncic’s pace makes him a difficult player to defend because he controls the tempo of the game no matter what the defense looks like.
Doncic has a knack for being able to find open teammates when he leaves his feet and he explained how he’s able to pull off such passes while also stressing the need for patience, via the “Mind the Game” podcast:
“Once I go up, stay in your spot.” — @luka7doncic pic.twitter.com/XlI2vHmTIJ
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) June 2, 2025
In the video, Steve Nash asks Doncic about the late pass and the Lakers star explains that he developed it over time rather than it coming naturally as a kid. As he continued to develop, Doncic explained that he used to always tell teammates to stay in their spots because he’d already memorized where they were on the court.
Although Doncic is great when he has to improvise a pass, most of time he’s already mapped the players on the floor and knows where to go with the basketball without having to even look sometimes. His processing speed and ability to make the correct read every time is on par with James, making them a lethal playmaking duo.
Luka Doncic reveals pros and cons of Los Angeles
Dallas was all Luka Doncic knew during his NBA career, so his trade to the LLakers not only shook up his professional life but his personal one as well. After living in his new home for a few months, Doncic revealed the pros and cons of Los Angeles with the biggest plus being the ocean.
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