DREAM COME TRUE: Doncic thrilled to play with James, Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Luka Doncic vowed to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to National Basketball Association (NBA) championship glory on Tuesday at his formal unveiling by the club following his stunning trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

The 25-year-old Slovenian superstar admitted he was still adjusting to the shock of being moved on by the Mavs, saying he had always believed he would spend his entire career in Dallas.

But Doncic said the prospect of playing alongside LeBron James for arguably the NBA’s most iconic franchise represented a “dream come true.”

Talking about the moment he learned he was being traded late on Saturday, Doncic said he initially hadn’t believed what he was told.

“Everybody else was surprised, so you can imagine how surprised I was,” he told a press conference.

“I was almost asleep, so when I got a call, I had to check it wasn’t April 1.”

“I didn’t really believe it at first, and it was a big shock. It was hard for me. (Dallas) was home. So it was really hard, especially the first day.”

“I felt like this last 48 hours was one month, like two days ago was one month ago.”

“But as I said, I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.”

Doncic’s exit from the Mavericks — which sent Lakers defensive star Anthony Davis in the opposite direction — is widely regarded as the most jaw-dropping trade in NBA history.

Reports have suggested Dallas opted to trade Doncic after concerns about his fitness and conditioning.

Doncic declined to directly respond to those reports but said he planned to use criticism about his fitness as a motivating force as he embarks on his Lakers career.

“It’s a motive — I know it’s not true — but it’s a motive,” Doncic said.

“It’s a big motive for a long run here.”

Asked if he felt he had something to prove in Los Angeles, Doncic added: “Of course: To win the championship. You don’t come here for anything else. I have everything left to prove and the goal is to win the championship.”

Doncic, meanwhile, revealed that James had been one of the first people to contact him following news of the trade late on Saturday.

“He called me right away,” Doncic revealed.

“He was in New York. We didn’t talk much. He said ‘I understand what you’re feeling’ but that was really nice of him just to call me right away and welcome me to LA.”

Doncic said playing alongside the 40-year-old James would be an opportunity to learn.

“It’s just like a dream come true. I always look up to him. There’s so many things I can learn from him. And I’m just excited to learn everything, and now I get to play with him. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I think we both make our teammates better. I think our IQ is very high, so I think that’s going to help everybody. I’m just excited to work with him. Every day that goes by is going to be better.”

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, meanwhile, said Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles signaled a new era for the club, describing the trade as a landmark moment in NBA history.

“I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history,” Pelinka said.

“We have a 25-year-old global superstar that’s going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe,” Pelinka said.

“And I think when those two powerful forces come together, it brings basketball joy to the world, because that’s how Luka plays.”

Pelinka declined to put a timeframe on when Doncic might make his Lakers debut. Doncic has not played since injuring his calf during a 25 December game.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time just to make sure that the calf injury is in a good and safe place,” Pelinka said.

“At this point, he’s day-to-day. We’re going to take it one step at a time, but if all those days go well and Luka feels good and confident, he’ll be in a game soon.”