Lakers GM Pelinka: Luka Doncic will lead franchise ‘for years to come’
A New Era Begins
After a transaction that sent shockwaves through the basketball world, the man who orchestrated it all is confident that the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade will pay off for the Lake Show in the long run.
Pelinka’s Statement
Los Angeles Lakers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka released a statement regarding the trade thanking Davis for his six years with the team.
“We are overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and centered himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” Pelinka said.
A Message to the Departed
Pelinka also thanked the two other Laker players involved in the trade – Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino – for their service.
“We are proud of Max Christie’s development as a Laker as he has grown into an impact 3-and-D player, and we are appreciative of the work Jalen Hood-Schifino has put in to show professionalism at every level,” he continued. “Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness.”
A Look to the Future
The Lakers GM then turned his attention to the Slovenian superstar who will now don purple and gold and play alongside LeBron James.
“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” Pelinka’s statement read. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team.”
“We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach Redick has for this team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans,” the statement continued.
A Player of Note
Indeed, Doncic, 25, has put up some incredible numbers throughout his short career; he is one of three players in NBA history to be selected to the All-NBA First Team five times before the age of 26 (the others are Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant) and is one of two to record at least 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists through 400 career games (the other is Oscar Robertson).
Doncic is averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals per game this season.
New Faces in Town
In addition to Doncic, the Lakers also acquired Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from Dallas, the latter of whom won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020.
Conclusion
With Pelinka’s vision and Doncic’s incredible talent, the Lakers are poised for a bright future. As the team continues to build around its new superstar, fans can expect to see a lot more success in the coming years.
FAQs
Q: Why did the Lakers trade Anthony Davis?
A: The Lakers traded Anthony Davis as part of a deal that brought Luka Doncic and other players to the team.
Q: What did Rob Pelinka say about the trade?
A: Pelinka released a statement thanking Davis for his six years with the Lakers and expressing excitement for the team’s future with Doncic.
Q: What is Luka Doncic’s current average statistics?
A: Doncic is averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals per game this season.
Q: Who did the Lakers also acquire in the trade?
A: The Lakers also acquired Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from Dallas in the trade.
