Luka Doncic's arrival to the Los Angeles Lakers was one of the most surprising moves of the NBA season, and although he seems to have adapted today, the first few days weren't easy. Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles franchise, explained in an interview with a Slovenian radio station how the player experienced that moment.

“Nobody knew the trade was going to happen. I knew it, but Luka didn’t. I’ve never had a player come to the Lakers and be as sad as he was, because the trade was a huge surprise for him, so he had to process it. I think he’s now accepted the Lakers and fully identifies with Los Angeles,” said Buss, highlighting that Doncic’s initial sadness was due to the surprise factor.

The Slovenian himself had made it clear in a letter published on social media shortly after the trade: he planned to spend his entire career in Dallas and his greatest wish was to give the Mavericks a championship. The break with the franchise that saw him grow up hit him emotionally hard.

That feeling reappeared on April 9, when he played his first game in Dallas as a rival. Before the game, the Mavericks released a moving video in his honor. Doncic couldn't hold back his tears, but minutes later he responded with a memorable performance: 45 points in the Lakers' 112-97 victory.

From nostalgia to the future in Los Angeles

The Mavericks fans were also not indifferent. Many supporters protested in front of the American Airlines Center and inside the arena, they made themselves heard with chants of "Fire Nico" against general manager Nico Harrison, who was responsible for the move that got Doncic out of Texas.

As the months passed, the situation changed. The Slovenian point guard signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension on August 2, ensuring his stay in Los Angeles until at least the 2027-28 season. That commitment marked a turning point:Doncic began to identify with his new team and project himself as the cornerstone for the post-LeBron James era, who is facing the last year of his contract and turning 41.