Magic Johnson hailed the Los Angeles Lakers’ sensational move for Luka Doncic but also took a sly dig at the Slovenian superstar’s professionalism.
The Lakers yesterday stunned the NBA and North American sports by bringing Doncic to LA and sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
In arguably one of the biggest trades in the league’s history, it immediately makes the Lakers a better team and their odds of winning the NBA title more than halved overnight.
And Johnson, a five-time champion with the Lakers, believes Doncic will make a big impact under former Mavs team-mate and now Lakers coach JJ Redick.
He wrote on X: “I’ve been associated with the NBA for 45 years and this Luka and AD trade is the biggest trade I’ve seen between two superstars essentially in their prime! With Luka, the Lakers are getting a 25 year old superstar; this is a great long-term move for the Lakers franchise after LeBron [James] retires.
“Luka Doncic going to the Lakers is amazing for the NBA, just like Shohei Ohtani was when we signed him to the Dodgers! I want to congratulate Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka for bringing Luka Doncic to LA to play for our beloved Lakers!”
I’ve been associated with the NBA for 45 years and this Luka and AD trade is the biggest trade I’ve seen between two superstars essentially in their prime! With Luka, the Lakers are getting a 25 year old superstar; this is a great long-term move for the Lakers franchise after…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 3, 2025
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Conditioning concerns prompted Mavs to seek trade
Five-time NBA All-Star Doncic has been limited to 22 games this season, and widespread reports suggested it was the Mavs who initiated trade talks with the Lakers as concerns grew about the player’s conditioning.
Johnson says he will have no better role model in LA than James, who at 40 years of age still looks and plays like a man 20 years younger.
He wrote: “Luka Doncic will definitely make the Lakers a championship-contending team. He’ll take pressure off of LeBron because of his scoring ability and playmaking and will make every Laker better!
“LeBron James will be a positive influence on Luka, teaching him his championship mentality that includes taking his conditioning seriously.
“You know I love assists, and with LeBron and Luka teaming up, I get to watch two of the best passers that have ever played on the same team! I can hardly wait to see Luka in a Lakers jersey in Crypto arena! Laker Nation, get ready!”
Luka Doncic will definitely make the Lakers a championship-contending team. He’ll take pressure off of LeBron because of his scoring ability and playmaking and will make every Laker better! LeBron James will be a positive influence on Luka, teaching him his championship mentality…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 3, 2025
Downside is trade of AD makes LA weaker on defence
Doncic’s arrival will boost their offensive capabilities but the departure of Davis and Max Christie does leave the Lakers weaker on defense.
“Laker Nation, we have to thank AD for his five and a half seasons including a championship in 2020. AD was having a MVP season which will make Dallas better and he can go back to his natural position of playing the 4,” said Johnson.
“Max Christie being traded to the Mavericks is going to hurt the Lakers defense, so now [Dorian] Finney-Smith and [Jarred] Vanderbilt will have to step up defensively to fill that void.”
Doncic is currently sidelined with a calf strain but hopes to return before the All-Star break later this month.
