Tag: Los Angeles

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NBA (Basketball)

Anthony Davis is ready for his debut with the Mavs in Dallas and acknowledges the frustration of fans who lost Luka Doncic

Anthony Davis responds to a question in the news conference

Anthony Davis is ready to make his debut for the Dallas Mavericks in their first home game since the huge trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

While Davis knows he’ll be on the court for the opening tip against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, he’s unsure what to expect.

Anger among Dallas fans remained high even six days after the trade, which also included sending Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick to the Mavs while Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris went to LA.

Most of the frustration has been aimed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who traded a 25-year-old superstar in his prime just eight months after the Mavs reached the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the franchise’s only championship in 2011.

“I get who Luka was to this franchise, to this city,” Davis said on Friday at his introductory news conference. “I’m never going to downplay that. Just how I know what I meant to the city of LA. So I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction and the city’s reaction. It’s my job to come in and play basketball and do what I’m supposed to do and give the fans hope and reassurance on why Nico brought me here.”

“I don’t know how (Saturday’s) going to be as far as the reaction,” Davis said. “I can’t control that. Obviously, it was a tough transition. It was a shock to all. My job is to come in and win basketball games.”

Fans in Dallas protested outside the arena the day after the trade, and similar demonstrations could occur when the team returns from a five-game road trip.

All Davis can do is prove himself as one of the NBA’s top big men, a 10-time All-Star with career averages of 24.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, who helped lead the Lakers to their 17th championship in the 2020 playoff bubble.

“I’d just tell them you’ve got a guy who’s going to be on the floor every night,” Davis said when asked what he would say to one of those angry fans. “A guy who’s going to compete every night and bring that championship experience to the organization, try to help lead this team to some championships.”

Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and Caleb Martin respond to a question in the news conference

Davis was joined by Max Christie and Caleb Martin, who also joined the Mavericks in a trade with Philadelphia. Christie played the last two games on the road trip, scoring 15 points in each game. Martin’s debut with the Mavericks is uncertain because of a hip injury.

“I’m big on perspective,” said Christie, a 21-year-old in his third season as a second-round pick coming off a one-and-done college career at Michigan State. “Being able to be a part of a trade of this magnitude is definitely kind of flattering to me.”

Harrison’s bold move shifts the star pairing from Kyrie Irving and Doncic to a new frontcourt-backcourt combo of Irving and Davis.

Irving said in the first game after the trade that he was still grieving the loss of his “hermano,” but preparing himself to move on. After struggling together in the 2022-23 season, Irving and Doncic found their groove in 2023-24 and led the Mavs to a Western Conference title before losing to Boston in five games.

Now, Irving focuses on a new partnership, hoping the learning curve is not as steep since the team now has two players who don’t both need to dominate the ball.

The 31-year-old Davis is also eager to play mostly at power forward, as the Mavs have stronger personnel at center compared to the Lakers, with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Lively may not return until late in the regular season due to a stress fracture in his ankle.

“I just think having a guard like Kai, who’s able to score, who’s able to pass, attack downhill, he can do it all. No flaw in his game,” Davis said. “I don’t think he’s played with a guy like me as well who can play in the pocket, can roll to the rim, be a lob threat and pick and pop, can handle (the ball) when he can come set a screen for me. It’s a different dynamic that I bring to him and he brings to me.”

It’s bringing a new dynamic to the Mavericks’ home, at least for now.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to extend their lease at Angel Stadium in Anaheim until 2032

Fans enter Angels Stadium before the start of a baseball game in Anaheim (MLB)

The Los Angeles Angels have decided to extend their lease at Angel Stadium until 2032.

The team and the city of Anaheim, which owns the stadium, made the announcement on Wednesday about the extension that will keep the Angels in the stadium they have used since 1966.

Currently, the team’s lease runs through 2029, but it includes three three-year options for extensions, which could keep the team in the stadium until 2038 if exercised.

“We are excited to announce that we have extended our lease securing the Big A as the home of Angels Baseball into the next decade,” said Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey. “As we prepare for our 60th season in Anaheim, we wanted our fans and community partners to know that Angels Baseball and its foundation remain committed to being an active part of this city and region.”

Angel Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, has undergone many renovations over the years, just like other older stadiums such as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium.

The Angels and the city share revenue from things like ticket sales, parking, and events at the ballpark, which was called Anaheim Stadium for its first 32 years.

Los Angeles Angels (MLB)

Angels owner Arte Moreno has expressed his interest in purchasing Angel Stadium and the land around it for years. He planned to build a new stadium and develop the parking lots. In 2020, the city approved a $320 million sale to Moreno, but the deal fell through in 2022 after a corruption investigation involving Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, who resigned.

Just across Katella Avenue from Angel Stadium, the Anaheim Ducks’ owner Henry Samueli is building a $4 billion project, OCVibe, which will feature a 100-acre entertainment district with residential and commercial developments around the NHL team’s Honda Center.

While the Angels’ future is still uncertain, the current extension makes it clear that Moreno is unlikely to build a new stadium within the next four years.

“The extension is not the result of any long-term discussions between the team and the city, and there are no long-term lease or other talks underway,” the city said in a statement.

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FEATURED

The former interpreter for baseball star Ohtani is set to appear in court for sentencing in a betting case in Los Angeles

The former interpreter for Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced on Thursday for bank and tax fraud after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account.

Federal prosecutors are asking for a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ippei Mizuhara, who was hired to help Ohtani communicate with his English-speaking teammates and fans as they traveled across the U.S. However, Mizuhara took advantage of the language barrier to isolate Ohtani and steal from him.

Mizuhara is set to appear in federal court in Santa Ana, California. He pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud after being accused of stealing money to cover his gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to stealing $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own dental bills.

This case has affected one of the most famous baseball players, who previously played for the Los Angeles Angels. It has also caused a media frenzy internationally. It came out of a wider investigation into illegal sports betting organizations in Southern California and money laundering at Las Vegas casinos, which has led to the arrest of a dozen people.

Mizuhara is scheduled to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service.

In a letter to the court, Mizuhara explained his financial troubles and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would solve his money problems. He also expressed admiration for Ohtani and regret for what he had done.

“I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down,” Mizuhara wrote. “I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being, and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.”

Ippei Mizuhara Released on $25K Bond; Allegedly Stole $16M from Shohei Ohtani
Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Ohtani in an interview

Mizuhara started accessing Ohtani’s account in 2021 and changed the security settings so he could impersonate him and authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had spent the stolen money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online sellers and placed tens of millions of dollars in illegal bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football.

Prosecutors stated that Mizuhara never bet on baseball and that Ohtani was unaware of the theft.

“Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant’s conduct,” prosecutors said.

Mizuhara’s lawyer, Michael G. Freedman, stated in court filings that Mizuhara is a gambling addict who made a “terrible mistake” and has already lost his job and reputation. Mizuhara accepts responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to Japan after serving his sentence. Freedman has requested a sentence of one and a half years.

Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California at the age of 6. He had difficulty learning English but eventually did, and in 2013, he went back to Japan to work as an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team. Later, he became Ohtani’s interpreter, according to court records.

The two developed a close relationship, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani to the U.S. in 2018, where he handled many tasks for the player, including grocery shopping.

Throughout Ohtani’s career, Mizuhara stood by his side for major events, such as being his catcher at the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby, supporting him during his two American League MVP wins, and being present when Ohtani signed his record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani’s friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could continue working with Ohtani and was rehired once a deal was made.

Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and Ohtani received his third Most Valuable Player award.

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Luka Doncic might debut for the Lakers this Saturday, according to coach JJ Redick, in Los Angeles

Luka Doncic stands alongside the baseline before the game

Luka Doncic could make his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, coach JJ Redick said Wednesday.

Doncic took part in his first practice with the Lakers since his surprising trade from Dallas last weekend. The Slovenian star had not played for the Mavericks since injuring his left calf on Christmas Day.

Doncic won’t play when the Lakers begin a three-game homestand against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, but there’s a good chance he will return when the Lakers play the Indiana Pacers on Saturday or the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

“We’re kind of just assessing it day by day,” Redick said. “We hope to have him back within the next few games. We just had noncontact practice today, but we got some good work in for about 45 minutes, and he’ll have a stay-ready game at some point over the next two days.

He’ll have some more opportunities to play live basketball, and then we’ll make a decision on Saturday. If it’s not Saturday, hopefully it’s Monday. (But) those decisions will be made on Saturday.”

The NBA’s broadcasters were paying attention: Shortly after Redick spoke, ESPN announced it would air the Pacers-Lakers game on Saturday, moving a Jazz-Suns game to a different time.

Doncic watched from the bench at Intuit Dome on Tuesday night as LeBron James led the Lakers to a 122-97 win over the Clippers, marking their ninth victory in 11 games.

James is still adjusting to the trade of his close friend and teammate Anthony Davis, but he has already expressed excitement about playing alongside Doncic, who he calls his favorite NBA player.

Luka Doncic and Lebron Jmes laugh on the bench

Doncic joined in 5-on-5 drills in his first Lakers practice. He ended the session chatting with Redick, James, assistant coach Scott Brooks, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who was Doncic’s teammate in Dallas for 4 1/2 seasons. Finney-Smith was traded to the Lakers from Brooklyn shortly after Christmas.

“Even though I don’t like the way things went down — I feel like he definitely should have got that money — but I’m happy he’s on my side now,” Finney-Smith said.

Finney-Smith also laughed at the Mavericks’ reported concerns about Doncic’s conditioning and weight.

“I know him, (and) he wants to play the whole game,” Finney-Smith said. “I think he played 40 minutes every game last playoffs. That’s one thing about LD. He wants to play. I don’t really look at the noise. I look at his production. If I’m putting up those kinds of numbers, maybe I should be 270 (pounds).”

Whenever Doncic returns to the court, Redick doesn’t think he will have any trouble adjusting to playing with James in the Lakers’ system.

“The biggest learning curve is just the language,” Redick said. “He knows basketball. He knows it at a high level. We use a lot of the concepts that he used in Dallas, which a lot of teams use. We haven’t reinvented the wheel or anything.

We are trending in the direction of playing really intelligent offensive basketball, and then you add in Luka, who’s a supercomputer on the court, who can see everything and has seen every coverage, every defense, it adds another layer for sure.”

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NBA (Basketball)

The Lakers acquire center Mark Williams from the Hornets in exchange for Knecht and Reddish in Los Angeles

Dalton Knecht gestures after scoring in the 2nd half

The Los Angeles Lakers are trading rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams, a person familiar with the deal.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as the trade had not yet been finalized on Wednesday night.

In addition to Williams, the Hornets will receive the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick and a first-round pick swap in 2030.

Williams, one of the NBA’s promising young centers, adds to the Lakers’ revamped roster. The Lakers made a big move recently by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis.

Williams addresses a major need for the Lakers, who had been left with Jaxson Hayes as their only veteran center after Davis left and Christian Wood was out due to an injury.

At 7-foot-2, Williams has faced injury struggles in his three seasons with the Hornets, playing only 84 games because of back issues. However, when healthy, he’s shown his potential.

This season, Williams has averaged 16 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in 22 games. He has thrived in pick-and-roll situations while playing alongside LaMelo Ball.

Williams, who is familiar with Lakers coach JJ Redick from their time at Duke, should mesh well with Doncic, who can set him up for lob passes and pick-and-roll opportunities. Williams will also be expected to contribute defensively for the Lakers, especially after Davis’ departure.

Mark Williams blocks a shot by Richaun Holmes in the 1st half

Williams has posted seven double-doubles in his last 11 games, including a 31-point, 13-rebound performance against the Jazz. He scored 38 points in a loss to Memphis last month, but his play has been inconsistent. In a recent game against Milwaukee, he struggled with just six points and five rebounds.

Williams appears excited about the trade, sharing gold and purple hearts on social media late Wednesday.

This is the second center the Hornets have traded this season. They previously dealt 7-foot Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round pick to Phoenix for guard Josh Okogie and three future second-round picks.

The Hornets are clearly focused on long-term growth under new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, collecting multiple assets. The team now has their first-round pick for the next seven years, plus several other picks from future trades.

Knecht, who was the Lakers’ first-round pick last year, has averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds as a rookie. He started 12 games, including a 37-point performance with nine 3-pointers, but his playing time has decreased in 2025.

Reddish has averaged 3.3 points per game in his second season with the Lakers. He started 26 games last year but has played much less under Redick.

Doncic, who has been out since Christmas with a strained left calf, is expected to make his Lakers debut on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers will decide that in the morning.

With this deal, the Lakers have traded seven of the 13 players on their opening night roster. The trade also cleared a spot for the Lakers to add another player to their roster.

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NBA (Basketball)

Mavs might have Anthony Davis for Finals rematch against Celtics in Dallas

Anthony Davis (NBA)

Anthony Davis might make his Mavericks debut on Thursday when Dallas plays the Boston Celtics in their final matchup of the season series.

The Mavericks have lost both games since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package that included Davis, who has been recovering from an abdominal muscle strain he suffered on January 28.

“I’ll go through a workout today, see how I feel, and depending on that, get another one in (Wednesday),” Davis said on Tuesday. “And then depending on that, see how I feel. If not Thursday, then more than likely Saturday at home (against the Houston Rockets).”

Davis has averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals in 42 games this season, all as a starter.

Max Christie, who also came to Dallas in the Doncic trade, played in Tuesday’s 118-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and scored 15 points in 32 minutes.

“I was just playing hard, to be honest, and reacting to what was going on,” Christie said. “The (team) concepts are kind of foreign to me, so I’m just playing off reaction. It helped that I was making my threes, too.”

Dallas will be aiming to snap a three-game losing streak on Thursday. The Celtics defeated the Mavericks 122-107 on January 25, the first meeting between the two teams since their 2024 NBA Finals matchup.

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (NBA)

Quentin Grimes scored 20 points off the bench in the first game against Boston but was traded to Philadelphia for forward Caleb Martin on Tuesday. Martin is averaging 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds this season.

The Celtics come off one of their best defensive performances of the season, extending their winning streak to four games with a 112-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Boston recorded 10 steals and six blocked shots in the victory, holding the Cavaliers to a season-low-tying field-goal percentage of 39.6%.

“It was a battle at both ends,” said Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis. “Their defense was there, and we had to bring ours. It was a physical battle. We had just enough to edge them.”

Boston limited Cleveland, the Eastern Conference leaders, to 15 points in the first quarter.

“I thought we did a good job just taking away some of the margins, some of the easy baskets that they’re able to create because of the type of players that they have and the type of offense that they run,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

Before the NBA All-Star Weekend begins on February 14, Boston will play road games against the New York Knicks and Miami Heat, along with a home game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics’ current four-game win streak is their longest since a seven-game streak in November.

“I’m very happy we have four wins in a row now because it’s a tough, tough stretch right before the All-Star break,” Porzingis said. “It’s important for us to finish strong going into the All-Star break, get some rest, then have that really good home stretch of the regular season to peak at the right moment.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings look to bounce back at home against Canadiens after challenging road trip in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

The Los Angeles Kings are hoping that being back on home ice will help them return to their winning ways.

After playing 10 of their last 12 games on the road, the Kings will kick off a six-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

Los Angeles went 2-3-0 on their first five-game road trip last month, then came home for two games, and went 1-3-1 on their second five-game road swing. They did manage to pick up a win in their final game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

“We stopped this stretch (in Carolina) because we kept our recipe,” Kings forward Phillip Danault said. “We kept working hard, playing our game and it worked out.”

The Kings are holding onto third place in the Pacific Division, just one point ahead of the Calgary Flames.

Before their Jan. 11 matchup in Calgary, the Kings had an eight-point lead over the Flames, but Calgary won 2-1 and has been closing in on Los Angeles since.

“Right now, we just have to believe in ourselves, believe in the team,” Kings forward Kevin Fiala said.

The Kings may be without defenseman Mikey Anderson, who is still day-to-day after injuring his finger last week.

“Whatever he’s got, it’s going to have to heal through treatments and relatively naturally, which is a positive,” said Kings coach Jim Hiller.

Drew Doughty, who recently returned from a broken ankle suffered in the preseason, has played three games since coming back. He feels healthy enough to possibly replace the injured Alex Pietrangelo at the 4 Nations tournament later this month.

Canadiens face daunting schedule with key matchups ahead (Montreal Canadiens)

“I know I’m in the group of guys they’re looking at and I told them I want to be there,” Doughty said. “I’m hoping I’m going to keep improving. We’ve got a couple more games, hopefully to watch me and see that I deserve that spot.”

The Kings will face a tired Montreal team that ended a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.

Jakub Dobes is expected to start in goal after Sam Montembeault made 27 saves in the win against the Sharks.

Dobes won his first five career starts but has lost his last two, including a 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild last Thursday, where he allowed three goals on 26 shots.

The rookie goalie faced future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury in that game and shared a brief conversation with him in the handshake line.

“We had a good little conversation, but I’m going to keep it for myself,” Dobes said. “He just said work hard. It was kind of hard to hear. I don’t want to say everything. I don’t want to create much buzz and anything. Some things that you keep to yourself and it was a good conversation.”

Dobes later mentioned that Fleury congratulated him on the start to his career.

“I didn’t even know what to say. I wasn’t expecting it. So I was just like: ‘Oh, thanks.’” Dobes said. “It shows you how much of a good human being and a good teammate he is that he takes his time to say something to a guy who started a month ago.”

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Lakers secure win over Clippers in Los Angeles despite missing Luka Dončić

Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

LeBron James scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and made nine assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant 122-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in Inglewood, Calif.

With Luka Dončić out due to a calf injury after being traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks, the team got solid performances from Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, who each scored 20 points. Reaves also added nine assists. The Lakers pushed the tempo, building a lead as large as 24 points in the first half.

The Lakers shot 55.6% from the field and 48.6% from beyond the arc, making up for defensive gaps left by the absence of Anthony Davis and Max Christie, who were both traded to the Mavericks.

For the Clippers, Norman Powell led with 20 points, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 17. Kawhi Leonard scored just 11 points in 22 minutes of play in his 12th game this season after recovering from a knee injury. Newcomers Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills made their Clippers debuts in the fourth quarter, combining for two points on four shots.

The Lakers quickly gained a 10-point lead about 9 1/2 minutes into the game and finished the first quarter up 45-29. By halftime, they had stretched their lead to 73-50.

Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets

The Clippers managed to cut the Lakers’ lead to 13 points early in the third quarter, but the Lakers responded with a 7-0 run, pushing the lead back to 20. With 8:56 left in the game, back-to-back 3-pointers from rookie Dalton Knecht and Hachimura made it 105-78, and the Lakers cruised to their ninth win in the last 11 games.

Lakers rookie Bronny James played the final six minutes, scoring three points and hitting his first NBA 3-pointer with 4:37 left in the game.

After losing 11 straight games to the Clippers through the end of the 2022-23 season, the Lakers have now won four of the past six matchups against their crosstown rivals.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Cubs have traded for Ryan Brasier from the Dodgers, according to reports from Chicago

Ryan Brasier pitches in the 8th inning

The Chicago Cubs traded for Ryan Brasier from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, adding the right-handed pitcher to their bullpen after the Dodgers cut him last week.

The Cubs are sending either a player to be named later or cash to the Dodgers for Brasier, who had a 1-0 record and a 3.54 ERA in 29 games last season, including four starts. The Dodgers also sent cash to the Cubs as part of the deal.

Brasier was designated for assignment after the Dodgers signed Kirby Yates to a one-year contract last Thursday.

The Cubs have been busy trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, especially by improving their bullpen. They traded for Eli Morgan and Ryan Pressly before acquiring Brasier. The team also got Cody Poteet from the New York Yankees in the Cody Bellinger trade.

Chicago Cubs players having a discussion

Brasier, 37, is in the second year of a two-year contract worth $4.5 million and can become a free agent after the World Series. He didn’t pitch for the Dodgers from April 27 to August 17 due to a strained right calf he suffered during pregame warmups.

Brasier made his major league debut with the Angels in 2013. After being released by the Boston Red Sox in May 2023, he signed with the Dodgers and posted a 1.89 ERA in 68 appearances with the team.

For his career, Brasier is 10-8 with a 3.85 ERA and 10 saves in 297 games.

To make room for Brasier on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny was designated for assignment.

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NBA (Basketball)

Luka Doncic is set to debut with the Lakers in Los Angeles soon, but only once his calf strain is fully healed

JJ Redick, Rob Pelinka and Luka Doncic pose in the NBA basketball press conference

The Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic has shifted the future of the team, which had been hoping to squeeze out one more championship with the 40-year-old LeBron James and his partnership with Anthony Davis.

With Doncic now at the center of the team, the Lakers’ future looks much brighter. They could even challenge for a championship this season if Doncic quickly gels with James. It’s more likely if the Lakers can bring in a center to replace the huge gap left by Davis.

However, any push for a championship will depend on Doncic returning to full health and making his Lakers debut.

The 25-year-old Slovenian star hasn’t played since Christmas, and his long absence has kept him from qualifying for the All-NBA team, something he’s been part of for the past five seasons.

What is Luka’s injury?

Doncic strained his left calf late in the second quarter of the Mavericks’ loss to Minnesota. The injury was serious enough that Doncic had to stay down the court while the game continued and then limped off to the locker room.

He missed the next 19 games and had only played in two games before his latest injury. Doncic had also missed the previous two games due to a bruised left heel. Since his rookie year in 2018-19, Doncic has only played 70 games in a season once.

When will Luka play?

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka mentioned that Doncic will participate in 5-on-5 practice drills on Wednesday. After that, the Lakers will work with Doncic’s personal training team to set a plan for his return.

Both Doncic and the Lakers are confident that he’ll be back in action soon, possibly before the team finishes their current four-game stretch in Los Angeles over the next week.

But Doncic has emphasized that he is taking this injury seriously, especially after rushing back from minor injuries in the past, which sometimes made things worse.

Luka Doncic speaks at the NBA basketball conference

“For the first time, I took my time (to) get it to heal 100%,” Doncic said about his recovery. “Other times, I think I just wanted to go back to the court playing basketball, and I really (wouldn’t) be healthy 100%. This time I just took my time, which was the normal amount of time to get back to 100%.”

The Lakers have time to be careful since there are still 34 games left in the regular season after their game against the Clippers on Tuesday night.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time just to make sure that the calf injury is in a good and safe place,” Pelinka said. “I would truly say at this point that he’s day to day. We’re going to take it one step at a time, but if (everything) goes well and Luka feels good and confident, he’ll be in a game soon.”

What will the Lakers look like with Luka?

When Doncic is back, he’ll likely start alongside Austin Reaves in the backcourt, replacing Max Christie, who was traded with Davis to the Mavericks.

Christie entered the starting lineup on Dec. 8. Since trading D’Angelo Russell on Dec. 29, the Lakers haven’t relied much on a traditional point guard, though veteran Gabe Vincent is still in the rotation.

While James and Reaves handle much of the Lakers’ offense, Doncic will have the ball in his hands most of the time. This will likely suit James, who has expressed his desire to play off the ball more this season.

The best way to pair James and Doncic is probably in pick-and-roll situations. JJ Redick, who played with Doncic in Dallas, is likely excited about the chance to design plays for two elite playmakers and scorers.

Defensively, the Lakers will struggle without Davis protecting the rim. It will be tough for them to stop opponents, so James and Doncic may often have to outscore teams, which they’re certainly capable of doing.

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NBA (Basketball)

Davis is traded to the Mavericks, acknowledging the significance of the deal that sent Doncic to the Lakers, in Dallas

Anthony Davis and Lebron James
Anthony Davis and Lebron James (NBA)

Anthony Davis gave up a $6 million bonus as part of the huge trade that brought him to the Dallas Mavericks and sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a rare swap of superstar players.

This move may have been Davis’ way of showing he understands the importance of the trade, which angered many of his new team’s fans.

Most of the frustration has been aimed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison. However, Davis is at risk of being seen as the player who came in exchange for the beloved Doncic, no matter what the Mavericks do with one of the NBA’s top 75 players.

“Losing a monumental piece like Luka. It’s a lot, right?” Davis said about the five-time All-NBA first-team player. “So I’m just trying to do my part and help Nico and the organization on how we can continuously get better. That’s just always the right thing to do.”

Davis spoke to reporters in Philadelphia before the Mavericks faced the 76ers. He had already been ruled out for the game due to the abdominal injury that kept him sidelined in his final days with the Lakers.

Of course, Davis didn’t know that his last game with LA had been a week ago against the 76ers, just as Doncic had no idea that his final game with the Mavs would be on Christmas after straining his calf.

Davis was speaking to reporters on the East Coast while Doncic was holding a press conference on the West Coast. Both players confirmed their surprise and shock over the trade.

“I was actually at home, about to watch a movie with my wife and got the phone call,” Davis said. “I had no idea. I just sent the team a text about congratulations about beating the Knicks, big win, and looking forward to Tuesday’s game against the Clippers. And I found out an hour later I was no longer with the team.”

Luka Doncic speaks at the NBA basketball conference

Doncic won’t be playing against the Clippers on Tuesday, but his return from the calf injury could happen soon.

Davis expects to be back on the court first. He mentioned he might play Thursday in Boston, or if not then, perhaps Saturday against Houston in the Mavs’ first home game since the trade.

There’s some familiarity for Davis with his new team.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd was an assistant when Davis played with LeBron James to help the Lakers win their 17th championship in the 2020 “bubble.”

Davis has known Nico Harrison since high school, and Harrison worked for Nike for two decades before joining the Mavericks in 2021. Davis eventually signed with Nike.

“Nico believes in me and what I can add to this team,” Davis said. “We are both extremely excited about what we can do, and I think we have a great opportunity to win a championship.”

The most crucial relationship now is with Kyrie Irving, who was traded to Dallas from Brooklyn to team up with Doncic. Their pairing led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, the team’s first appearance in 13 years, although they lost to Boston in five games.

Now the Mavs have a new set of co-stars. Davis mentioned that he and Irving had discussed playing together six years ago, when Davis left New Orleans to join the Lakers, and Irving went to the Nets.

Now they’re finally teammates, both still processing the shock of the trade that brought them together. Irving, who hasn’t spoken to reporters since the trade, joked with the media to “take it easy” on Davis in his first press session.

“Had no idea that it was happening,” Davis said of the deal. “But, I mean, now I’m kind of over it, and just kind of getting ready to play with Dallas.”

And understanding the weight of replacing a player like Doncic.

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LeBron is shocked by the Lakers’ trade of Anthony Davis but praises Luka Doncic as “my favorite player” in Los Angeles

Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris with their new jerseys

LeBron James said he spent two days in shock after the Los Angeles Lakers traded away Anthony Davis, his close friend and teammate for 5 1/2 years.

Now, LeBron is adjusting to the idea of teaming up with Luka Doncic, a player he has long admired.

“Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now,” LeBron said Tuesday night after scoring 26 points in the Lakers’ big win over the Clippers. “I’ve always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire the next generation, and Luka happens to be one of them, and now we’re teammates. So it’ll be a very seamless transition.”

Like many others, LeBron thought the trade was a joke when he first heard about it last Saturday night while dining with his family in New York.

“My emotions were all over the place,” LeBron said. “The first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake. I thought it was a hoax. People messing around or whatever. But AD FaceTimed me, and I talked to him for quite a while. Even when I got off the phone with him, it still didn’t seem real.

Pretty much didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today, and then I saw the clip of AD at the Dallas shootaround. That’s when it finally hit me, like, ‘This is real.’”

Midway through his record-tying 22nd NBA season, the 40-year-old LeBron has often said he’s seen everything the NBA has to offer.

This trade proved him wrong. “Ain’t never seen this,” LeBron said. “I haven’t. I’ve seen it all, up until this one. I’ve never been a part of a transaction like that. That was different. … It was shocking when I heard the news, but at the end of the day, I understand the business of basketball.”

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, and LeBron says he’s committed to continuing with the Lakers, even after Davis’ departure.

When asked if he was worried about the Lakers focusing more on Doncic and younger players, LeBron replied: “What’s wrong with that?”

“If I had concerns, I’d have waived my no-trade clause and got up out of here,” he added. “Listen, I’m here right now. I’m committed to the Lakers organization. I’m here to help Luka and Maxi make the transition as smoothly as possible.”

Luka Doncic with Rob Pelinka during the news conference

Doncic has officially joined the Lakers

Doncic officially joined the Lakers on Tuesday, and he spent time talking with LeBron while watching from the bench at the Intuit Dome. The Slovenian star, who’s still processing one of the biggest trades in NBA history, expressed excitement about joining the Lakers alongside LeBron, his idol.

Even though they’re opposing coaches in the Clippers-Lakers rivalry, JJ Redick and Tyronn Lue both believe Doncic and LeBron will make a strong duo for the Lakers.

“I’m confident that we can figure out how to blend their talents together in a positive way in a very short amount of time,” Redick said.

Though Doncic wasn’t ready to play with the Lakers on Tuesday night, he was already the main topic of conversation before the game, which marked the first since the Lakers made the blockbuster trade sending Davis and Max Christie to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

Lue, who coached LeBron on the Cleveland Cavaliers when they won a championship with LeBron and guard Kyrie Irving, was confident about how the pairing of LeBron and Doncic would work.

“They’re not right,” Lue said, referring to critics who think the two ball-dominant players won’t mesh. “It’ll work. When you have LeBron James, who’s been the best player in the league for the last 15 years, and you have Luka — who’s a top-three, top-five player in the league — they’ll figure out how to make it work.

LeBron can play with anybody. … I know JJ will do a good job of stacking those guys so they each have their own unit, kind of like we did with Kyrie and LeBron, and then in the fourth quarter they’ll close games together. They’ll figure it out. It’s not a tough problem to have, I’ll tell you that.”

Luka Doncic speaks at the NBA basketball conference

Redick and Doncic were teammates for 13 games in Dallas during Redick’s final playing season in 2021. Doncic also appeared on Redick’s podcast multiple times.

“I would say we had a friendship (and) mutual respect,” Redick said. “You then have to figure out how to have a working relationship as player/coach, and both him and I are committed to that. … I’m excited to build that with him.”

Several of LeBron’s teammates were also impacted by the trade, especially those who were close to Davis and Christie.

“The last couple of days has been tough for me,” Austin Reaves said. “I feel like I had an empty pit in my stomach, just because in the last four years with AD, three years with Max, you create real relationships and bonds, and out of nowhere (they’re) on a different team, competing and doing what they want to do.”

Talk about Doncic was everywhere in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar praised the Lakers’ acquisition of Doncic, one of the few Slovenian athletes more famous than Kopitar. He even reached out to his fellow Slovenian with congratulations.

“He’s obviously a superstar around the world, not just in Slovenia,” Kopitar said. “For our country, being so small, obviously everybody knows him. And it was a big deal, I know from what I heard from back home. It’s nice to have him here.”