Luka Doncic at Lakers press conference: Trade from Mavs 'a big shock'

LOS ANGELES - Luka Dončić answered questions from reporters for the first time since he was shockingly traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luka Dončić reacts to Mavs-Lakers trade

Dončić says he was as surprised as anyone when he found out that he had been dealt.

"I was almost asleep when I got a call. I had to check to see if it was April 1st. I didn't really believe it at first. It was a big shock," Dončić said.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks lose nearly 1 million Instagram followers after trading Luka Dončić to Lakers

The 25-year-old Slovenian superstar says that getting the news was hard on him.

"The first day was really hard. I felt like this last 48 hours was one month," he said. "Today was much better. I'm just very happy to be here for this opportunity."

When reflecting on his time in Dallas, Luka said he had amazing moments in Dallas with his teammates, coaches and fans.

"They always supported me, and it was an amazing journey," he said.

Dončić said he planned to stay in Dallas for his entire career.

"I think loyalty is a big word for me, and I was trying to stay by that," he said.

Luka was asked how he feels about the Mavericks' decision to trade him and general manager Nico Harrison.

"That's their decision, so I have no comment on that. They made a decision, I don't know why, but that's their decision. I can do nothing about that," Dončić said.

READ MORE: Luka Doncic banners taken down at the American Airlines Center

When asked if anyone in his camp had indicated to the Mavericks that he would not have been willing to sign a supermax contract, Luka shook his head.

"Absolutely not," he said.

Rob Pelinka on trade discussions with Nico Harrison

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called the trade a "seismic event" in the NBA and thanked Mavericks GM Nico Harrison for his role in making it happen.

Pelinka explained that the trade started with a meeting over coffee in Dallas where Harrison told him about the idea to trade Luka.

The two GMs had previously worked together with Kobe Bryant. Pelinka was Bryant's agent and Harrison was an executive at Nike.

"There was a fabric of trust in the discussions," Pelinka said. "When the concept was originally introduced to us it was that, hey, the only way we can even have these discussions was if it was between owner and GMs and there was a commitment to that."

The trade talks took place over the course of about three weeks, according to the Lakers' GM.

Luka Dončić Trade

The deal between the Mavericks and Lakers was first reported late Saturday night before the teams confirmed the deal the next day.

• Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
• Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
• Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick

When will Luka Doncic play for the Lakers?

The Lakers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, but Dončić is not expected to play.

At this point, it is not clear when Dončić will suit up in the purple and gold for the first time.

Pelinka says that Luka is considered day-to-day.

Luka has not played since Christmas Day with a calf injury.

NBA reporter Marc Stein reported that Dončić had been targeting a return to court on Feb. 8.

If that is the case, the Lakers will be playing former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles Lakers Schedule

• Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Los Angeles Clippers
• Thursday, Feb. 6 vs. Golden State Warriors
• Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Indiana Pacers
• Monday, Feb. 10 vs. Utah Jazz
• Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Utah Jazz
• Wednesday, Feb. 19 vs. Charlotte Hornets

When do the Mavericks play the Lakers?

The next game between the Mavs and Lakers is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Los Angeles.

The two teams will play at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on April 9.

Luka Dončić Stats

By the numbers:

Dončić is one of the NBA's biggest young stars, being named first team All-NBA in each of the last 5 seasons.

He also led the Mavericks to playoff success, with a trip to the NBA Finals last season and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.

In his career in Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic’s 28.6-point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain — both at 30.1.

Dončić has battled injuries throughout his time in the NBA.

He has played in just 22 of the Mavericks' 49 games this season. He has not played since injuring his calf on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In those 22 games this season, Dončić has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.

Mavs GM Nico Harrison on Dončić Deal

What they're saying:

With Mavs head coach Jason Kidd by his side, Nico Harrison opened up a news conference on Sunday by saying he understands the magnitude of the trade, but believes the trade sets up the culture he wants to see in the Mavericks.

"We've had a vision and a culture that we've wanted to create since we've been here and the players that we're bringing in we believe exemplify that," Harrison said. "We think defense wins championships, and we're bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league."

Harrison did stop short of saying that Luka did not fit the culture the Mavericks are trying to build.

Many have speculated that Dončić may have asked to be traded or told the Mavericks that he would not accept a contract extension when his current deal expires in a year and a half. Harrison said there had been no "verbal" indication that Dončić did not plan to take the extension.

Harrison also said he only spoke to the Lakers about a possible deal. 

The Mavericks GM says when he first presented the idea to Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont he laughed at him, but that he trusted Harrison to pull the trigger on the deal.

"I'm the one making the decision," Harrison said. "Time will tell if I'm right."

News Conference Updates

11:34 a.m.: The press conference ends and Luka holds up his number 77 jersey.

11:32 a.m.: Pelinka calls Luka a top 3 player in the universe.

11:27 a.m.: Luka jokes that Lakers coach JJ Redick could not move at all when he was his teammate on the Mavericks. Luka says he does not do podcasts, but did Redick's twice, showing that the two have a good relationship.

11:25 a.m.: Pelinka says Luka is considered day-to-day with his calf injury. The Lakers are also expected to work with Luka's medical team to make sure he is ready to play. It has been reported that the Mavericks were not happy with Luka's team of medical advisors.

11:23 a.m.: Luka when asked if he indicated that he would not sign the supermax with the Mavericks: "Absolutely not." 

11:21 a.m.: Luka says he has no comment about Nico Harrison and the decision to trade him.

11:20 a.m.: "Loyalty is a big word for me," Luka says when saying that he expected to stay in Dallas for his whole career. He says he likes the idea of having the ocean in Los Angeles.

11:19 a.m.: Luka says "it means a lot to him" that players, including rivals, have spoken out on his behalf following the trade.

11:18 a.m.: Luka says he was almost asleep when he first got the call and he had to check to make sure it wasn't April 1.

11:15 a.m.: Pelinka says that the discussions about the trade started with discussions over coffee in Dallas.

11:13 a.m.: Luka says the first day after hearing the news was really hard and that the last 48 hours felt like a month. He says he is happy to be here.

11:12 a.m.: Luka says playing with LeBron James is a dream come true.

11:11 a.m.: Luka calls his time in Dallas an "amazing journey."

11:10 a.m.: The first question of the news conference is about Doncic's interaction with Kobe Bryant courtside at a game. Bryant spoke Slovenian to Doncic, surprising Doncic.

11:09 a.m.: Pelinka thanks the Dallas Mavericks and Nico Harrison. Pelinka calls Harrison "instrumental" in making the deal.

11:07 a.m.: Pelinka calls Luka joining forces with the Lakers a seismic event.

11:05 a.m.: We are underway. Luka is joined by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.

11:01 a.m.: Free 4 All will have a complete breakdown of today's news conference and comments from Anthony Davis at 10:30 p.m.

10:55 a.m.: Media members have gathered at the Lakers facility in Los Angeles. Luka and Lakers officials are expected to speak at 11 central.

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