Why Luka Dončić feels like a perfect Laker as a global star and culture fit

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – As he strolled through the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice facility for the first time in his life, Luka Dončić basked in seeing the team’s championship trophies and retired jerseys. But even before the Lakers acquired him this past weekend in a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić and the Lakers already seemed like a perfect fit.

Dončić grew up as a global phenom that played for his Slovenian national team, in Euroleague and a Spanish powerhouse (Real Madrid). Once the Mavericks landed him in a draft-day trade as the No. 3 pick in 2018, Dončić instantly became one of the NBA’s rising stars with his scoring, playmaking and competitive spirit. The late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant embraced him five years ago in what marked his final game in attendance before his passing. Lakers superstar LeBron James once tried to convince Nike to sign Dončić to shoe deal under “Team LeBron.” Through his seven-year career, Dončić showed a thirst for winning both with his on-court intensity and his clutch performances.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, didn’t need to cite any Bible verses to illustrate the magnitude of Dončić’s arrival. Pelinka has saved that practice for other deals. Instead, Pelinka’s candor about the significance sounded more like matter-of-fact commentary than hyperbole.

“I think Luka Dončić joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history,” Pelinka said. “The reason I say that is because we have a 25-year old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe. When those two powerful forces come together, it brings basketball joy to the world. Because that’s how Luka plays. He plays with joy.”

Those qualities should remind the Lakers of Magic Johnson, who always dazzled coaches, teammates and fans with his crafty no-look passes while bearing an infectious smile. Dončić has emulated other Lakers legends, too. Dončić has mirrored Kobe Bryant’s on-court intensity with his demanding personality with his teammates and officials. Dončic has made clutch shots in the same way Bryant and Jerry West once did in a Lakers uniform. Dončić has shown the creativeness and fundamentally-sound play that other international stars have mastered, including former Lakers forward Pau Gasol.

And yes, Dončić has even emulated Shaquille O’Neal’s tendency to frustrate team officials for not playing in tip-top shape. Just like when the Lakers dealt O’Neal to Miami in 2004 partly amid concerns about his long-term durability and conditioning, the Mavericks traded the 25-year-old Dončić reportedly for similar concerns. But like O’Neal and all the other Lakers luminaries, Dončić has already become an NBA icon for his transcendent talent and high-stakes performances.

“I’m very happy to be here for this opportunity,” Dončić said. “It’s the Lakers. It’s one of the best clubs in history. So I’m excited to be here.”

When Dončić held his No. 77 Lakers jersey with Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick following his introductory press conference, the moment went beyond fulfilling the customary gesture reserved for every new arrival. It also foreshadowed what else will likely transpire because of Dončić’s greatness. At some point, the Lakers will add another NBA trophy in owner Jeanie Buss’ office. Following his Hall-of-Fame induction likely decades from now, Dončić will join Johnson, Bryant, West, O’Neal, Gasol, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, Gail Goodrich, James Worthy, Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes as Hall-of-Famers to have their Lakers jersey retired. Buss told me in the 2023 offseason that the Lakers plan to do the same thing for LeBron James.

“It's a gift. We're talking about a 25-year-old that is a top-three player in the universe,” Pelinka said. “I can't think of a more amazing starting point to build a roster for the next decade. And I know he has the drive to win that we have here. Our fans are going to see that every night on the court. I know up here he might seem calm and casual and quiet, but we know the alter ego comes out. And we'll see it at Crypto.com (Arena) soon, and I can't wait for it.”

Beyond ruling him out for Tuesday’s game against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome, the Lakers don’t have exact clarity on when Dončić will play following a 19-game absence to treat his strained left calf. The Lakers don’t have clairvoyance on how quickly Dončić and James can mesh together. Nor do they have any idea on whether they can make more moves leading into Thursday’s trade deadline.

“The urgency is ever-present. From the first day I started taking this job until I sit in the chair right now, there's always an urgency to win championships,” Pelinka said. “That's what the Lakers set out to do. That's the expectation of our fans, and we're going to put in the work to constantly try to do it.”

It might be easier said than done, however, to acquire any combination of centers and defensive-minded players after dealing their Defensive Player of the Year candidate (Anthony Davis) and a young two-way prospect (Max Christie) to Dallas for Dončić, Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber. The Lakers have two first-round picks and a handful of role players that could spark interest, including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. That might not mean the Lakers have enough to acquire Indiana’s Myles Turner or Utah’s Walker Kessler. Considering that Pelinka said he generally values centers that have “versatility” and “mobility,” it appears unlikely the Lakers want Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas.

“You have to be realistic. And if there's not a championship big on the market, I can't wave a wand and create that opportunity,” Pelinka said. “We'll continue to work and look for areas that we can complete and fill out the roster. But as we saw with this trade, it takes two teams.”

And to think that the Lakers would actually acquire a transcendent superstar before the trade deadline after initially expecting they would likely just improve on their margins.  

Prior to the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 7, Pelinka and Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison met for coffee. Then, Pelinka said that Harrison gauged his interest level in a deal involving Dončić. Instead of becoming overly excited about the possibility or overly worried about how to make a complicated deal work, Pelinka likened his mentality on how Bryant and Dončić often competed.

“My gears were turning about the deal the same way his basketball mind is processing a play,” Pelinka said before turning to Dončić. “So I just tried to live in the moment. And I tried to carry that with me for three or four weeks as it was unfolding. By staying in the moment, I think it helped us get to the end.”

It also helped that Pelinka turned to Buss for counsel and support immediately after the initial discussions. Both Harrison and Pelinka agreed not to negotiate with other teams and to keep the talks secret. Pelinka rightfully made an exception for Buss, whom Pelinka said he “shares things in real time” because they have a “really strong working relationship.” 

“She’s so supportive,” Pelinka said. “Her vision, which falls in line with the late great Dr. [Jerry] Buss is to always make sure the brightest and best basketball superstars play for the Los Angeles Lakers. She’s clearly carried on that vision from her dad.”

Expect Dončić to carry out the same vision the Lakers have for all of their stars. Dončić considered it a “dream come true” to play with James after admiring him both as a child and as a young NBA star. Dončić  still remembers the “exact moment” on December 29, 2019 when Bryant talked to him in Slovenian before praising his play during the Mavericks’ game against the Lakers.

“That was an amazing moment. Just for Kobe to know my name, it was amazing for me,” Dončić said. “I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment. I’m excited about this new journey and happy to be here.”

Mark Medina is a Lakers/Clippers columnist for Sporting Tribune.