Report: Luka Doncic Still ‘Shell-Shocked’ About Mavericks-Lakers Trade

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, Luka Doncic is still “shell-shocked” about the Dallas Mavericks–Los Angeles Lakers trade. 

Doncic has not played well in his first three games with the Lakers, who are 1-2 with him in the lineup. 

.@ShamsCharania with the latest on when the Lakers can expect Luka Doncic to be fully healthy ✍️ pic.twitter.com/pseaqgyTQU

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 20, 2025

The Lakers beat the Utah Jazz in Doncic’s Los Angeles debut. However, they have since lost to the Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. 

Doncic is averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Lakers while shooting 35.6% from the field, 20.8% from beyond the arc and 58.3% from the free-throw line.  

“Obviously, it’s going to take a little time,” Doncic said after the Lakers lost to the Hornets. “Today, a lot of rustiness for my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can’t happen. So just got to play basketball the right way.”

Added LeBron James: “He still doesn’t know all the plays. He doesn’t know all the defensive coverages, all the signals and things that we’ve built since September. So obviously we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly. He’s coming back from his injury. He’s getting back into form. So we’re all working through it together.”

The Lakers are 32-21 on the season. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. 

However, if they lose to the Portland Trail Blazers tonight (2/20), they will be on a three-game losing streak. 

Doncic hasn’t looked like himself in a Lakers uniform. He’s missing shots he normally makes and is turning the ball over at a high rate.

Odds are the NBA star will knock off the rust and look like the future Hall of Famer he is. But right now, Doncic is playing poorly and he’s had a negative impact on the Lakers, who traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie to get him.