While LeBron James was “taken off guard” by the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal, he wasted no time reaching out to his new teammate and welcoming him to the Lakers.
Essentially the entire world aside from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was taken aback as Doncic was shipped to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis.
It was a three-team deal with many moving parts, and even the third team’s president, the Utah Jazz’s Danny Ainge, was shocked at the details.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced at UCLA Health Training CenterUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after dunking against the New York Knicks.JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
While surely overcome with emotions and surprise, it didn’t take long for Doncic to hear from perhaps the greatest player of all time after the news broke that the two would soon be teammates.
“[James] called me right away,” Doncic told reporters Tuesday at his introductory press conference with the Lakers. “He said, ‘I understand what you’re feeling.’”
The Mavericks were reportedly concerned with Doncic’s weight and conditioning before silently communicating with the Lakers about the potential deal and blindsiding Doncic, who was soon going to be eligible for a supermax contract.
“Everybody was surprised, so you could imagine how surprised I was,” Doncic said. “I was almost asleep when I got a call, had to check it was April 1.”
Doncic had reportedly just recently purchased a $15 million home in Dallas and was ready for the long haul with the organization before the uprooting.
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic shares a laugh with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James following an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Dec. 25, 2022.AP
Doncic will now try to settle into his new home in L.A.
But he won’t be alone as James’ phone call the night of the deal offered some assurance that the Lakers are happy to have him.
“That was really nice of him to call me right away and welcome me to LA,” Doncic said.