Luka Doncic has arrived in Los Angeles and his tenure with the Lakers has officially begun.
Doncic made it to his new NBA home hours after the historic trade in which the Mavericks parted ways with him became official. His first message to Lakers fans was short and simple, but the 25-year-old had more to say during his first media obligation with his new team.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Doncic was officially introduced as a Laker with a press conference at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo, Calif. He spoke alongside Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
The Sporting News kept up with live updates from Doncic’s first of many media appearances as a member of the purple and gold. If you missed it, you can catch up below.
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Luka Doncic press conference live updates, highlights
(All times Eastern.)
12:35 p.m.: Wednesday’s proceedings conclude with a photo opp featuring GM Rob Pelinka, head coach JJ Redick and Doncic holding his No. 77 Lakers jersey.
The Luka Doncic era begins in L.A. pic.twitter.com/sSEGi4xHOR
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 4, 2025
12:30 p.m.: As the presser winds down, Rob Pelinka addresses Los Angeles’ need for a big man, adding that the team will be building around Luka Doncic’s strengths and head coach JJ Redick’s vision for a team.
Pelinka says L.A.’s “roster has continued work to do to become complete,” adding, “We know we have a need for a big.”
12:25 p.m.: Lakers GM Rob Pelinka says Luka Doncic is “day-to-day” with his return to play from his left calf injury.
Doncic is set to go through a 5-on-5 workout on Wednesday and Los Angeles’ sports performance team plans to collaborate with Doncic’s personal training team to make the best decision for his Lakers debut.
12:21 p.m.: Luka Doncic says “I don’t know why” the Mavericks would decide to trade him.
He then was asked if he indicated that he would not have re-signed with Dallas on a supermax extension: “Absolutely not. Easy answer.”
. @townbrad: “There were talks that the Mavs were concerned you wouldn’t sign the super max extension. Did you or anyone on your team indicate that you wouldn’t sign it?”
Luka Doncic: “Absolutely not. Easy answer.” pic.twitter.com/QBeQSmRnDe
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 4, 2025
12:18 p.m.: Luka Doncic says he had to “check if it was April 1st” upon learning about the trade.
He calls the Lakers “one of the best clubs in history” and after expressing his shock and difficulty with processing the news, he shifted to excitement about the opportunity ahead.
He then shared that he received a phone call from LeBron James shortly after news of the trade surfaced.
“When I got a call, I had to check if it was April 1st. I didn’t really believe it at first.”
–Luka on when he got the call he was being traded pic.twitter.com/4IoVZt8mTK
— ESPN (@espn) February 4, 2025
12:16 p.m.: Lakers GM Rob Pelinka confirms that trade talks began with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison over coffee in Dallas earlier in the year.
Pelinka added he then brought the discussions to Lakers president Jeanie Buss, who supported the discussions.
12:14 p.m.: Luka Doncic calls playing next to LeBron James “a dream come true.”
“I think it’s going to help everybody,” Doncic said of the pairing, adding that he hasn’t yet truly spent much time thinking about basketball just yet.
12:12 p.m.: When asked about reporting on the trade, Luka Doncic takes the high road regarding conditioning concerns and other reported issues.
He reiterates he is focused on his new journey with Los Angeles and thanks Dallas for the memories during his time there.
12:10 p.m.: Luka Doncic says he’s “excited about this new journey” in his first spoken public statement as a member of the Lakers.
He adds, “I don’t think there’s ever been so many people at my press conference.”
12:06 p.m.: It’s real. Luka Doncic is set to speak next to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.
Luka is a Laker pic.twitter.com/lImZHGveCk
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) February 4, 2025
12:02 p.m.: There’s a full house at the UCLA Health Training Center as the media has filed in for a massive event.
JJ Redick and members of the Buss family and coaching staff are here. pic.twitter.com/cngXVMzaWf
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) February 4, 2025
MORE LUKA DONCIC TRADE NEWS:
- Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade winners and losers
- Why did the Mavericks trade Luke Doncic?
- How Luka Doncic fits with the Lakers
- When will Luka Doncic make Lakers debut?
Luka Doncic press conference video
Watch the Luka Doncic press conference video in full below:
When is Luka Doncic’s press conference?
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 4
- Time: Noon ET | 9 a.m. PT
The Lakers will introduce Doncic at noon ET (9 a.m. local time) on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
How to watch Luka Doncic press conference today
The press conference will air live on the Lakers’ YouTube channel and the NBA’s social media channels. Other details have not yet been shared but the press conference will likely also air nationally.
More viewing information will be provided when it is made available.
MORE:
- Doncic shares heartfelt goodbye to Mavs fans
- Doncic's father rips Mavericks for trade
- Mavs fans protest Doncic trade with coffin
- Mark Cuban denies involvement in Doncic trade
- Mavs GM Nico Harrison explains Doncic trade in bizarre press conference