Lakers -owner Jeanie Buss broke her silence this week on the Blockbuster trade of the team for Luka Doncic, while she was getting over the 'very special player' that La of the Mavericks acquired.
The NBA community was stunned in the early hours of 5 February when the Mavericks sent the 25-year-old Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Marketf Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the first round pick of the Lakers. Jazz was also involved and received Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second round picks).
And while Doncic continues to settle in his new environment, it is clear that the bus feels good about the deal.
'Luka is a very special player. We are very happy to have him as part of the Laker team, but we had to give up a lot to get him, “she told Entertainment Tonight of the premiere of Netflix's 'Running Point' on Thursday.
“And we're going to miss Anthony Davis and Max Christie,” she went on. “It's like you are always trying to improve the team, get a little better and ultimately win a championship.”
In Doncic, the Lakers acquired a five-fold all-NBA player who was generally expected to be the face of the franchise of the Mavericks for the coming years.
Jeanie Buss shows off a Lakers Championship Ring at the premiere of Netflix's 'Running Point'
Luka Doncic came to the Lakers earlier this month in a stunning trade with the Dallas Mavericks
The guard, who recovered from a calf injury when the Lakers traded in front of him, has so far played only 23 minutes in each of his two performances for the Lakers and scored 14 and 16 points in two matchups against jazz.
Mavericks -fans have since been left furiously by the shocking trade, where fans are angry with GM Nico Harrison – who closed the deal – this week.
Harrison is even subject to death threats after the deal, according to Tim Macmahon of ESPN.
Both Harrison and Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, whose family bought the majority of Cuban last year, did not criticize Doncic's defense and work ethics after trading the Slovenian star.
“I believe that Defense wins championships,” Harrison told Macmahon. 'I believe that getting an all-defensive center and an all-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We are built to win now and in the future. '
Dumont also said to the Dallas Morning News: 'In my mind, the way teams win through the focus is by having the right character, by having the right culture and having the right dedication to work as hard as possible to work as hard as possible create a championship to create a championship. And if you don't, you will lose. '
On the contrary, Doncic led Dallas to the NBA final last year, and the Lakers will hope that he can have a similar effect on their franchise in addition to a 40-year-old LeBron James in the last phases of his career.
