Never did anyone think prior to this past Saturday that Luka Doncic would be leaving the Dallas Mavericks, let alone have the Mavericks be the one that pushes him out of town, but now that the dust is settling, it's starting to sink in that the 25-year-old Slovenian star is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. In Doncic's way out of the Mavericks, general manager Nico Harrison didn't exactly cover himself in glory, pointing to Doncic's lack of conditioning and defensive shortcomings as the main reasons for why they traded him away.

Nonetheless, Doncic is just looking to use the slights being thrown his way as motivation. After all, all of the criticisms levied towards him aren't anything the Lakers star hasn't heard in the past.

“That's fine. I've been questioned many many times in my life. Just another motive to be more prepared for myself and just take another road. I've been questioned a lot. I'm used to it. But it's a job. It's a business. I'm just happy to be here, you know. Play basketball. That's all I want,” Doncic told Jared Greenberg of TNT.

It's not as if Doncic needed more motivation to be a better player. Perhaps there is room for him to grow from a conditioning perspective, but when has that prevented him from performing when it matters the most? It's Luka Doncic — and the Lakers must have been thanking their lucky stars that he was made available to them and only them.

And with the Lakers pulling off a trade for Mark Williams as well, the best is yet to come for the Doncic-led Purple and Gold.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Nick Wright drops the mic on LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry debateScotty White ·
Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena
Luka Doncic reveals initial thought on living in LA after Lakers tradeJosue Pavon ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Lakers set first Cooper Flagg, Mavericks matchup in Las VegasMalik Brown ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers Luka Doncic’s sends ‘speed’ message that will scare rest of NBANathan Yasis ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles after his team scored against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
LeBron James’ former teammate provides eye-opening take on GOAT debateAlex House ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before the start of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.
Lakers’ LeBron James doesn’t hold back on clout-chasing trainersRichard Pereira ·

Can the Lakers pull off the unthinkable in Luka Doncic's first half-season with the team?

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Not too many considered the Lakers as a legitimate championship contender prior to the Luka Doncic trade, but now, some will have to think about the possibility that they break through this season — especially with LeBron James playing reinvigorated basketball.

There aren't any players scarier to face in a playoff series than Doncic and James (other than a healthy Kawhi Leonard), and now, the Lakers have both of them on the same team. There will be an adjustment period, especially when Doncic and James are used to having the ball in their hands often, but make no mistake about it, no playoff team would want to face this duo especially early on in the postseason.