Luka Doncic is getting ready to settle into his new role on the Los Angeles Lakers.
In a move nobody expected, Luka Doncic was traded to the LA Lakers, a transaction that stunned the whole NBA world.
But it’s a new reality, with Luka Doncic seen courtside for the last two LA Lakers games, and introduced in a press conference, taking the number 77 jersey.
Doncic knows head coach JJ Redick from the Dallas Mavericks, a former teammate, and he is reunited with Dorian Finney-Smith.
He is also connected with a couple of players he has long admired from afar, one being NBA legend LeBron James, who scored 42 points against the Warriors.
Luka Doncic is a long-time admirer of new LA Lakers teammate Rui Hachimura, having competed against him in international basketball.
Doncic was asked about Hachimura during the 2020 All-Star break, and made a prediction about the player, who was in his first NBA season with the Washington Wizards.
He responded: “He’s going to be a great player. He’s shown he can do a lot of things out there. I think he’s going to be an amazing player.”
Hachimura, 26, was traded to the LA Lakers in January 2023, and now finds himself sharing a roster with Doncic, 25, in an unlikely turn of events.
Rui Hachimura could have a more prominent role on the LA Lakers now Anthony Davis has left. He needs to.
Speaking about his performance in the 122-97 win over the LA Clippers this week, Lakers legend James Worthy told Spectrum: “Without AD we are going to see Rui be more aggressive.”
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has urged Hachimura to make more use of his size, and his recent performances have been excellent.
Following the 76ers game where Anthony Davis suffered an injury, Hachimura has averaged 18.5 points per game.
That is an improvement on the season where Hachimura’s average is 12.8 points per game.
His game could yet evolve further too with Luka Doncic soon to appear alongside him, and there is one aspect which suggests it could be a successful partnership – the Slovenian’s clear long-standing belief in his ability.
