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The Los Angeles Lakers announced that superstar Luka Dončić will continue to wear No. 77 following a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
Yes, it really happened. Welcome to Los Angeles, Luka. pic.twitter.com/XdlZZ5IfNo
Dončić is the first player in Lakers history to wear No. 77, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The five-time All-Star was dealt from Dallas to Los Angeles in a three-team deal that included the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris while the Jazz came away from the deal with Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of second-round picks.
It was a shocking swap, with Dončić establishing himself as one of the top players in the association and helping lead Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance during the 2023-24 season. At just 25 years old, he’s also entering the prime years of his career.
Charania reported that Dončić, Davis and LeBron James were all unaware of the trade before it occurred and that it “came out of nowhere.”
ESPN @espn
“This deal materialized in the shadows … LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.”@ShamsCharania on the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade between the Lakers and Mavericks pic.twitter.com/Hp4bL3UX2M
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison explained that he made the deal for defensive-minded reasons.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison said, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
MacMahon noted that Dallas was also motivated to move the superstar due to “constant conditioning concerns.”
For the Lakers, Dončić and James will immediately become one of the NBA’s most imposing duos as they look to close out the season strong. Los Angeles currently sits at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings with a 28-19 record.
Dončić averaged a league-leading 33.9 points per game last season, finishing No. 3 in MVP voting.
While he’s been limited to just 22 games to open his 2024-25 campaign due to a calf injury, he still averaged 28.1 points and 8.3 rebounds to go along with 7.8 assists per game on 46.4/35.4/76.7 shooting splits when healthy.
As Dončić experiences an astonishing change of scenery, he’ll keep the same number that he used in Dallas as he transitions to wearing the purple and gold.
