• Fri. Feb 14th, 2025

Magic Johnson draws Luka Doncic-Shohei Ohtani parallel following NBA blockbuster

Magic Johnson Makes Luka Doncic-Shohei Ohtani Comparison After NBA Trade Frenzy

The trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis has sparked intense reactions throughout the NBA world. Basketball greats have shared their thoughts on the deal, which sends Doncic to the Lakers and Davis to the Mavericks. Magic Johnson, in particular, expressed his enthusiasm over Doncic’s transfer to Los Angeles.

In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Magic Johnson compared Luka Doncic’s move to the Lakers to Shohei Ohtani’s signing with the Dodgers, saying, “Luka Doncic joining the Lakers is huge for the NBA, just like when we signed Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers! Congratulations to Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka for securing Luka Doncic to play for our beloved Lakers!”

Magic Johnson’s Response to Luka Doncic Joining the Lakers

In another tweet, Johnson acknowledged the positive impact Doncic will have on the Lakers, though he seemed to make a subtle comment about the 25-year-old’s conditioning. “Luka Doncic will definitely elevate the Lakers to championship contention. He’ll relieve LeBron of some pressure with his scoring and playmaking abilities and improve every Laker on the roster! LeBron will also be a great mentor to Luka, teaching him the championship mindset, including the importance of conditioning,” Johnson tweeted.

This remark indirectly referenced concerns from the Mavericks regarding Doncic’s conditioning, which had led to hesitation about offering him a supermax contract later in the year.

The Lakers legend, with vast experience as both a player and executive, also expressed surprise at the trade on the same day the news broke.

“I’ve been involved with the NBA for 45 years, and this Luka-Davis trade is the biggest trade I’ve seen between two superstars in their prime!” Johnson said. “Luka, at 25, is a superstar—this is a great long-term move for the Lakers as they look to the future after LeBron’s retirement,” Johnson added.

For Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with 13 seasons in the league, describing the Doncic-Davis trade as the biggest he’s seen highlights the scale of the deal.

First Footage of Luka Doncic Arriving in LA After Trade Goes Viral

Luka Joining the Legacy of Lakers Legends

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on during a stoppage in play during the first half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Lakers, who were knocked out by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of last season’s playoffs, currently sit in the fifth spot in the Western Conference with a 28-19 record through 47 games.

Doncic becomes the latest in a long line of legendary Lakers guards and forwards, joining icons like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. At 25—turning 26 on February 28—he could potentially lead the franchise for the next decade and further solidify his legacy with an NBA championship.

Luka Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this season. Last year, he led the league in scoring with 33.9 points per game, guiding a struggling Mavericks team to the NBA Finals.

The newest Lakers superstar currently ranks third all-time in NBA regular-season scoring average, just behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, and second all-time in playoff scoring average, only behind Jordan.

 

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