Porzingis shares his thoughts on Doncic’s stunning move to the Lakers.©(@880ESPNNewYork)
Kristaps Porzingis was among the last to hear about Luka Doncic’s stunning trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, but once the news reached him, his reaction matched the shock felt across the NBA. The Boston Celtics center revealed that he was unaware of the deal at first due to phone issues while preparing for a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. It wasn’t until a random fan informed him that he realized what had happened, leading to an immediate sense of disbelief.
Porzingis admitted he initially thought he was the one being traded before learning that Doncic was headed to Los Angeles. The Mavericks orchestrated a blockbuster deal, sending Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. A third team, the Utah Jazz, also played a role in finalizing the trade, acquiring Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round draft picks.
The trade sent shockwaves through the league, marking an unprecedented move in the history of the NBA and professional sports. Doncic, at just 25 years old, has already accumulated five All-Star appearances and five All-NBA First-Team selections. Despite falling short in his first NBA Finals appearance, the Mavericks’ front office made numerous attempts to build a championship-caliber roster around him. One of those efforts included acquiring Porzingis in 2019, which generated significant excitement but ultimately failed to yield the expected results.
Porzingis spent two-and-a-half seasons as Doncic’s teammate in Dallas. Still, their partnership never translated to playoff success, with the Mavericks failing to progress beyond the first round during their time together. Reflecting on their struggles, Porzingis acknowledged that their chemistry never fully developed as envisioned. He admitted that improved maturity and communication from both sides might have led to a different outcome but expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from that experience.
Those lessons proved invaluable when Porzingis joined the Celtics in a three-team trade between the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Unlike his time in Dallas, where the dynamic with Doncic was challenging, Porzingis embraced his role in Boston’s balanced lineup, playing alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. That mindset shift helped propel him to an NBA championship with the Celtics, a moment of redemption that underscored his growth as a player.
Now, the focus shifts to Luka Doncic as he prepares for the next chapter of his career with the Lakers. Partnering with four-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer LeBron James, Doncic can develop his game under one of the greatest players in league history. As Los Angeles prepares to transition the franchise’s leadership to Doncic in the coming years, the move presents a defining moment in his career.
Porzingis’ journey of self-reflection and adaptation ultimately led him to an NBA title. The question remains whether the wake-up call of being traded away from Dallas will push Doncic to reach even greater heights in Los Angeles.
