The Los Angeles Lakers stunningly traded for Luka Doncic one year ago, and couldn’t be more thankful to have a loyal superstar guard amid the latest James Harden drama. Shams Charania reported Harden wants to be traded again, and the rival Clippers are working with him to find a new home before Thursday’s deadline.
Doncic embraced the Lakers immediately after the shock of the trade passed. He led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and wanted to play his entire career in Dallas. Luka has given that same loyalty to the Lakers since arriving in Los Angeles. The purple and gold are wisely building around him, and the best is still yet to come as Doncic is still improving.
The Lakers were searching for a lead ball-handler for years before landing Doncic. Fans recall the Trae Young rumors and LA being mentioned as interested in nearly every point guard. They would likely be in the latest Harden sweepstakes if not for the still stunning Luka trade.
The Lakers can’t be more thankful to have Luka Doncic
Doncic is not just any point guard. He is the best scorer and shot creator in the world. The 26-year-old is leading the NBA in scoring for the second time in three years and averages 33.6 points, 8.8 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. That is why he is heading to his sixth All-Star game and already has five first-team All-NBA honors under his belt.
The Lakers would have been chasing Harden, Young, or Ja Morant if not for the Luka deal. They desperately needed a shot creator to take the burden off LeBron James. Los Angeles is always chasing the next star and would be in on these marquee names.
Luka will not put himself in the rumors. He played for Real Madrid for years before coming to the NBA. Doncic was happy in Dallas being the face of the Mavericks. He continues to play for the Slovenian National Team every chance he gets, despite being eligible to play for Serbia and Spain. Number 77 is loyal to a fault. He won’t be demanding a trade and will be the Lakers' superstar for the next decade-plus.
This feels like an annual James Harden request at this point. Since ending his tenure with the Rockets in 2021, the Beard has been traded three times, and this soon-to-be move will be a fourth. Most teams are set at point guard, so it will be interesting to see how his market develops.
The Los Angeles Lakers are just thankful they won’t be part of the sweepstakes. They have Luka Doncic. The superstar makes them contenders into the 2030s and gives them a building block other teams covet.
It is still impossible to believe that the Lakers kept Austin Reaves and did not have to give up every possible draft pick in acquiring Doncic. Rob Pelinka fleeced the Mavericks and set the purple and gold up for years to come. It was a historic move and one that keeps getting better for the Lakers.