Luka Dončić, the newly acquired star guard of the Los Angeles Lakers, expressed his excitement about teaming up with legendary forward LeBron James during his introductory press conference. Following his trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić described the opportunity to play alongside James as 'just like a dream come true,' stating, 'I always look up to him. ... It's an amazing feeling.' He also took a moment to honor the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, reflecting, 'I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment.'

Dončić acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to a new team after the surprising trade, saying, 'That first day was really hard ... I feel like the last 48 hours was one month.' Despite grappling with the transition, he conveyed optimism about his future in Los Angeles, mentioning, 'I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there. Loyalty is a big word for me… [But] I got the ocean here. I get to play for the Lakers. Not many get to say that.' This sentiment followed the announcement that the Mavericks had traded Dončić along with teammates Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for star big man Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.

When questioned about the reasons behind his trade from Dallas, Dončić remarked, 'They made a decision. I don't know why.' He also shared his immediate reaction to the news of the trade, noting, 'I was asleep ... I had to check my phone to see if it was April 1st.' Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison later revealed that Los Angeles was the only team engaged in trade discussions regarding Dončić and clarified that the 25-year-old never indicated dissatisfaction with the Mavericks, a point Dončić confirmed by responding 'Absolutely not' when asked about it. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka referred to the acquisition of Dončić as a 'seismic event' in NBA history, detailing that negotiations lasted nearly three weeks, with owner Jeanie Buss involved from the outset. Meanwhile, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd learned of the trade only after it was finalized, and longtime owner Mark Cuban, who no longer holds controlling interest in the team, indicated he was not part of the decision-making process. Reports emerged that the Mavericks were facing issues in their relationship with Dončić, leading to the unexpected trade. As Dončić prepares to embark on his journey with the Lakers, he represents a significant addition to the franchise, positioned to be James' immediate successor as he nears the end of his illustrious career.