OKLAHOMA CITY — After some of the lopsided losses of his profession, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic was requested to touch upon the orchestrator of what many take into account to be some of the lopsided trades in league historical past, the deal that introduced him to L.A. from the Dallas Mavericks. Nico Harrison, the Dallas president of basketball operations and basic supervisor who first approached Lakers president of basketball operations and basic supervisor Rob Pelinka with the commerce thought in January, was fired by Mavs governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday.
Following L.A.’s 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Wednesday evening, Doncic was requested for his response to the dismissal.
“The town of Dallas, the followers, the gamers, they’re going to all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart,” Doncic mentioned. “I believed I used to be going to remain there eternally, however I did not. So, that can all the time be a particular place for me. I’ll all the time name it dwelling. However proper now, I am centered on the Lakers and making an attempt to maneuver on. However clearly, all the time there shall be part of me there.
“However simply making an attempt to maneuver on and deal with what I am doing right here.”
A reporter adopted up by asking whether or not Doncic may ever envision returning to play for the Mavericks now that Harrison now not works for the group.
“Proper now I am simply centered on the Lakers,” Doncic mentioned. “No additional feedback.”
Harrison shocked the basketball world in February when he traded Doncic to the Lakers in a deal centered round Anthony Davis, Max Christie and L.A.’s 2029 first-round decide. Maxi Kleber, who was included by the Mavericks to make the salaries line up, additionally was requested for his response to the Harrison information after the Lakers’ morning shootaround session.
“It is a quick enterprise, man,” Kleber mentioned. “Gamers, GMs, coaches, all people. So, all the time acquired to be prepared for the following transfer.”
Doncic was acquired by the Mavericks in a commerce with the Atlanta Hawks on draft evening 2018, went on to turn out to be Rookie of the Yr and was a five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA choice, one-time scoring champion and named the 2024 Western Convention Finals MVP — all by the age of 25 — along with his former staff.
He had been off to an electrical begin for L.A. this season — averaging 37.1 factors, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists by means of his first seven video games — earlier than struggling mightily towards the defending-champion Thunder.
Doncic completed with a season-low 19 factors on 7-for-20 taking pictures (1-for-7 on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 turnovers towards the Thunder. The Lakers have been outscored by 31 factors within the 33 minutes Doncic was on the courtroom, and the Lakers’ 30-point deficit on the break was probably the most Doncic has ever trailed on the half in his eight-year profession.
“Positively wasn’t our greatest recreation,” Doncic mentioned. “In all probability one of many worst this season, however they did an important job. I feel all of them did an important job on me. They’re champions for a motive, so that they confirmed that right now. I feel we have to be extra prepared. Clearly, it begins with me. I have to be means higher than that and simply acquired to determine.”
Oklahoma Metropolis improved to a league-best 12-1. The Lakers, 1-2 on their present five-game highway journey that ends with a back-to-back in New Orleans and Milwaukee, are No. 5 within the West with an 8-4 document.
“It isn’t regarding,” Doncic mentioned when requested concerning the substantial hole between the 2 groups up to now to start out the season. “I feel it is extra of a giant motivation. … They have been the champions for a motive and it is a huge motivation. They began the 12 months even higher [than last season], I feel so. It is a huge motivation to see how they play and attempt to cease them.”