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Lakers' Luka Doncic stresses importance of $33M injury-prone veteran during tight playoff race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world with their blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, which is likely to go down as one of the most surprising deals in league history. The trade involved several players from multiple teams, sending shockwaves throughout the NBA.
“In a blockbuster trade that figures to impact the Western Conference balance of power for years to come, the Lakers, Mavericks and Jazz completed a three-team trade that sends Luka Doncic to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas. The Lakers received Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks, who announced the trade Sunday morning. Dallas acquired Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.
With the trade, the Lakers have now made Doncic the face of the franchise. The 26-year-old veteran has made it clear that he wants the Lakers to build a contending team around him immediately.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
As the Lakers fight for a playoff spot and try to avoid the Play-In, it will be crucial for Maxi Kleber to step up down the stretch.
“Definitely. I would say, you know I joke that I know Maxi [Kleber], since our days in Dallas, I really enjoyed just all the things that you know, he sometimes don’t show on the statistics, but to play with him is amazing,” Doncic told the media.
Kleber has had his fair share of injuries with the Lakers, but he looks healthier than ever, throwing down two dunks on Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings. He can defend at a high level, score inside the paint, and knock down shots from beyond the arc.
Doncic has built a strong relationship with Kleber, and together they are aiming to help LA make a deep playoff run. Doncic knows what his longtime teammate is capable of; it’s now a matter of Kleber returning to full health and showing his full range of skill.