Photo: Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
EL SEGUNDO (CNS) - The Lakers introduced Luka Doncic Tuesday at a news conference at their El Segundo training facility, two days after announcing a trade with the Dallas Mavericks that brought them the third-highest scorer in NBA history.
"I'm just very happy to be here for this opportunity," Doncic told reporters. "This is the Lakers. It's one of the best clubs in history. So I'm excited to be here."
The Lakers dealt Anthony Davis, Max Christie and their 2029 first- round draft choice to Dallas in exchange for the 25-year-old Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The trade announced Sunday also included the Lakers sending guard Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Utah Jazz.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said he believed the trade would have a major impact on the team and the NBA overall.
"Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history," Pelinka said. "And the reason I say that is because we have a 25-year-old global superstar that's going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe. I think when those two powerful forces come together, it brings basketball joy to the world. Because that's how Luka plays. He plays with joy. And if you think about kids in Barcelona, or kids in Buenos Aires or children in Shanghai or Sydney, they're going to be wearing a number 77 Luka Doncic Lakers jersey and bringing joy to basketball, like he does."
The trade was the first that two reigning All-NBA players have been traded for each other midseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the league's official statistician.
Doncic's 28.6-point scoring average is the third-highest in league history, behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, who both averaged 30.1 points.
It is unknown when the 6-foot-6 guard from Slovenia will make his Laker debut. He hasn't played since suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day.
After the trade, the Lakers posted a video on social media showing the late superstar Kobe Bryant speaking to Doncic in Slovenian in 2019.
"I remember the exact moment that that happened," Doncic said Tuesday. "It always stayed in my mind and it was an amazing moment. Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me. I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment. And I'm excited about this new journey and happy to be here."
After the trade was announced, Doncic took some criticism from pundits in Dallas, questioning his physical conditioning and commitment to playing tough defense to complement his offensive skills. Asked about those comments Tuesday, Doncic generally waved them off.
"I'm just excited to be here to start this new journey," he said. "Obviously at some point I knew this (trade) was going to happen. But I always take the high road. I had my amazing moments in Dallas, with all my teammates, coaches, and most importantly the fans. They always supported me. It was an amazing journey."
Doncic also said he was excited to step on the court with Laker star LeBron James.
"This is like a dream come true, you know," he said. "I always looked up to him. There's so many things I can learn from him, and I'm just excited just to learn everything. i get to play with him. So it's an amazing feeling."
