Luka Doncic is loving life ‘at the beach’ a year after the Mavericks trade

After a one-year anniversary of a trade that shocked the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic reflected in his transition from the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Davis led the charge for the Mavericks. Before the NBA world learned that Davis’ tenure with the Mavericks would be cut short by his trade to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Doncic talked about coming to Los Angeles when the deal was finalized.

Doncic discussed what the feeling was like with Hall of Fame forwards Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, per Cousins ​​with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

“It was scary for me. Honestly, I thought I’d be there my whole life. But obviously things change. So it was hard like (the first) month. I mean, it’s a lot to take in. But a year later I feel like I’m in a great place. I’m living by the beach. It’s good.”

Luka Doncic on adjusting to his new environment after the Mavs traded him to the Lakers last year:

“It was scary for me. Honestly, I thought I was going to be there my whole life. But obviously things change. So it was hard like the (first) month. I mean, it’s a lot… pic.twitter.com/TNp5Reht8i

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2026

It is easy to understand how the news shocked Doncic, who spent his entire career playing for the Mavericks. Less than a year after leading Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, no one expected the 2024-25 season to be Doncic’s last in Dallas.

However, since then, he has only thrived with the Lakers. Doncic is having by far the best season of his career, averaging 33.4 points on 47.5% shooting, 8.7 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

Luka Doncic’s message one year after the Mavericks and Lakers trade

Lakers All-Star Luka Dončić is satisfied with where he is after his seven-year tenure with the Mavericks ended abruptly with a trade. Doncic led the Lakers to a record 49-game 30-19 record in the 2025-26 regular season.

Doncic feels good about his current situationhe said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“I think we’re in a good position,” Doncic said after finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in the Lakers’ 112-100 loss to the Knicks. “Obviously we’ve got some work to do … We obviously missed a lot of good looks today, but I think we have a great group.”

After beating the Nets 125-109 on Tuesday, Doncic and the Lakers have won four of their last six games.