Luka Doncic hungry for titles after shock LA Lakers trade

4 days ago 45

LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic vowed to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to National Basketball Association (NBA) championship glory at his formal unveiling on Feb 4, following his stunning trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

The 25-year-old Slovenian superstar admitted he was still adjusting to the shock of being moved on by the Mavs, saying he had always believed he would spend his entire career in Dallas.

But he also said that the prospect of playing alongside LeBron James for arguably the NBA’s most iconic franchise represented a “dream come true”.

Talking about the moment he learnt he was being traded late on Feb 2, Doncic said he initially had not believed what he was told.

“Everybody else was surprised, so you can imagine how surprised I was,” he said. “I was almost asleep, so when I got the call, I had to check it wasn’t April 1.

“I didn’t really believe it at first, and it was a big shock. (Dallas) was home. So it was really hard. But as I said, I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.”

Doncic’s exit from the Mavericks – which sent Lakers defensive star Anthony Davis in the opposite direction – is widely regarded as the most jaw-dropping trade in NBA history.

Reports have suggested Dallas opted to trade Doncic after concerns about his fitness and conditioning.

He declined to directly respond to those reports but said he planned to use criticism about his fitness as a motivating force as he embarks on his Lakers career.

“It’s a motive – I know it’s not true – but it’s a motive,” Doncic said. “It’s a big motive for a long run here.”

Asked if he felt he had something to prove in Los Angeles, he added: “Of course. To win the championship. You don’t come here for anything else. I have everything left to prove and the goal is to win the championship.”

Meanwhile, he also revealed that James had been one of the first people to contact him following news of the trade.

“He called me right away,” Doncic said. “We didn’t talk much. He said ‘I understand what you’re feeling’ but that was really nice of him just to call me right away and welcome me to LA.”

Doncic believes that playing alongisde the 40-year-old James would be opportunity to learn.

“It’s just like a dream come true. I always look up to him. There&rsqu...

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