When the entire league’s first reaction to hearing about a trade is to think “Shams Charania must have been hacked,” you know it’s a game-changer.
Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ governor who had a hand in orchestrating the deal, was taken aback by just how massive and worldwide the reaction was to Luka Doncic joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Speaking on the Games with Names podcast, she shared her surprise.
“I didn’t anticipate the global impact it would have. I mean, I knew it was going to be a big story in the NBA but he really is a global superstar.”
Luka Doncic’s star power was evident well before he made his way to the NBA. As a teenager, he was already a sensation in Europe, earning EuroLeague MVP honors at 19. His international allure is undeniable. Teaming up his brand with the Lakers’ iconic image was bound to be monumental, reminiscent of the partnership with LeBron James.
Buss was clued into the trade from the beginning, right from when Lakers GM Rob Pelinka met with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison over coffee in Dallas. It was there that the deal was set in motion.
“After that meeting in Dallas, I got Jeanie on board immediately,” Pelinka recounted during Doncic’s first press conference with the team. “We have a strong working relationship, Jeanie and I. Communication is key for us, and I kept her in the loop at every step. She was incredibly excited and hopeful, right until the finish line, which we thankfully crossed.”
In her conversation, Buss reiterated a sentiment others within the Lakers organization shared: trading Anthony Davis wasn’t initially on their agenda. But the opportunity was too tempting to dismiss. The decision has proven fruitful on the court, where the Lakers have thrived with a 9-4 record since Doncic joined the roster. However, they’ll face some challenges with LeBron sidelined due to a groin strain.
Doncic isn’t just key to the Lakers’ immediate plans but is pivotal to their future—and on a global stage. It’s a scenario even Buss couldn’t entirely foresee.
