Ahead of the Lakers’ first-round duel with the Minnesota Timberwolves, superstar guard Luka Doncic sat down for an exclusive interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. The world got to hear Doncic’s full thoughts on the blockbuster trade to Los Angeles, his newfound loyalty to LA, and what it will take for the purple and gold to thrive in the postseason.
Luka Doncic Dishes on Lakers Trade, Nico Harrison in ESPN Interview
Full Reaction to Trade
Doncic revealed he was in bed watching a movie when he found out he was dealt to the Lakers.
“[The] first thing I said probably three times is, ‘It’s April 1st,’” he said. “I was still in shock, crazy shock. I felt my heart was broken, honestly.”
He also addressed criticisms that he incurred on his way to LA, most notably about his conditioning.
“I mean, it’s painful, depends how you take it,” he said. “[It] mostly came from Dallas, so I just didn’t want to talk back. But I don’t really read that much stuff. I’m just trying to focus on my journey.”
Response to Nico Harrison’s Comments
Doncic’s interview came days after Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison held a closed-door media availability, which included a testy exchange with ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. When MacMahon pressed Harrison on why he traded Doncic after their 2024 Finals run, Harrison repeated his justification of the deal: “Defense wins championships.”
“It’s just sad, the way he’s talking right now,” Doncic said. “I never [said] anything bad about him, and I just want to move on. The fans, my ex-teammates, I’ll always keep at heart. It’s time for me to move on from there.”
When asked whether he has spoken to Harrison since the trade, Doncic responded, “No,” and confirmed his intention was to retire a Maverick.
But now, Doncic says his loyalty goes to “basketball first,” adding that he wants to stay in Los Angeles.
Luka on Lakers-Wolves
Doncic, like every Lakers, Wolves and NBA fan, looks forward to the looming first-round matchup between the West’s respective no. 3 and no. 6 seeds.
“When you go against the best, you gotta be at the top, so that’s what I’m trying to do,” Doncic said.
His battle against four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert—one that’s been memed into oblivion—is an added bonus to what will surely be an excellent series.
The five-time All-Star has torched the Western Conference all year long, but it seems he almost has an affinity for matchups against Minnesota. In the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game on 47% shooting from the field, 43% from three and 84% from the free-throw line.
Doncic has said it will take “everything” for the Lakers to come out on top, and the Lakers will need him to bring everything for a long playoff run. Aside from LeBron James’ heroics, they’ll place equal reliance on Doncic to lead LA to a first-round victory. Considering Luka’s elite track record at 26 years old, he’s more than ready to meet the moment as the Lakers battle the Timberwolves, who are hungry to play spoiler.
Game 1 of Lakers-Wolves tips off April 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on ABC.
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