It’s still crazy to think Luka Doncic isn’t a Dallas Maverick.
Doncic was a superstar for them before they dealt him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade that nobody saw coming. They felt that it was a good trade to make.
He’s teaming up with LeBron James, and the Lakers see him as their next great superstar after James eventually calls it a career.
Before he was dealt to the Lakers, the Mavericks offered him to another Western Conference team. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Mavericks offered Doncic to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Anthony Edwards.
The offer never went anywhere, so the Mavericks turned to the Lakers, and the two sides were able to finalize a trade. It has worked out super well for the Lakers thus far, who are 36-21 overall and have won four in a row.
If the playoffs were to start today, they’d have the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Doncic was great against the Timberwolves on Thursday, finishing with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
His double-double came after he recorded a triple-double against the Mavericks on Tuesday, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.
He has been a perfect fit for the Lakers, and they hope that it will carry over into the playoffs and in future seasons. He and the Lakers will be back in action on Friday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers are 32-26, which is good for sixth in the Western Conference. They are five games behind the Lakers and are trying to solidify their playoff spot heading into the stretch run of the regular season.
Tip-off will be at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Related: LeBron James Called Out ‘Weird’ Media After Lakers’ Win