This NBA regular season delivered one of the most surprising trades in recent memory. On Feb. 2, the basketball world was rocked when the Dallas Mavericks traded their franchise superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round draft pick.
The move stunned fans and analysts alike. Dallas had just moved on from the player many believed would define the franchise for the next decade. Now, nearly four months later, Dončić has opened up about what life’s been like since the trade.
Luka Dončić Talks LA Life on ‘Mind the Game’
Dončić was the featured guest on a recent episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash. The appearance was highly anticipated, especially after the midseason shakeup that landed him in Los Angeles. He didn’t hold back when sharing how he’s adjusting to the move.
When Nash asked how he was liking the West Coast, Dončić grinned and said, “Well, first of all, like this is the first city I’ve played in that has an ocean. And I really like the ocean. So that was nice. First thing, I mean, after a couple of days, that was the first thing on my mind. It’s a lot. I like it. I like it very much.”
Then he got more honest.
“The only thing is the traffic,” Dončić said. “It’s the f***ing traffic.”
Luka Dončić talks about Slovenia, Los Angeles and traffic@mindthegamepod pic.twitter.com/HY8Ghdq6WP
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) June 1, 2025
Dončić’s complaint isn’t without merit. A study published last year by StreetLight Data found that while cities like San Francisco and Albuquerque saw a drop in traffic congestion since the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles hasn’t improved at all. In fact, its traffic levels remain just as bad as they were in 2019, still ranking among the worst in the U.S.
The Trade Caught Dončić Off Guard
Now living in Los Angeles with his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, and their daughter, Gabriela, Dončić seems to be settling in—at least off the court. But the move didn’t come without its emotional moments.
According to former NBA player Chandler Parsons, Dončić had just bought a $15 million home in Dallas days before the trade. Parsons said the news hit hard and that Dončić cried when he found out.
Luka Dončić apparently bought a $15 million house in Dallas last week and reportedly cried when he found out the Mavericks traded him, per @ChandlerParsons
(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/8xE5YPayea
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 3, 2025
While some have questioned whether Parsons’ story is fully accurate, it adds another layer to how fast everything changed for Dončić.
Dončić Stayed Locked In on the Court
Even with the sudden shift, Dončić didn’t let it impact his play. In 28 regular-season games with the Lakers, he averaged 30.2 points, seven rebounds and 5.8 assists. Los Angeles finished the season with a 50–32 record and earned a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference.
In the postseason, Dončić stayed sharp. But despite his strong numbers, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing the series 4–1.
The early exit wasn’t what the Lakers or their fans hoped for, but Dončić gave them plenty to be excited about. His scoring, passing and leadership kept them competitive even as he adjusted to a new roster, new system and a new city.
Now, with a full offseason ahead, Dončić will have time to settle into Los Angeles for real. He’ll work with his teammates, get more familiar with head coach JJ Redick’s system and maybe even find some shortcuts to avoid traffic.
Whether or not he likes LA’s roads, one thing is clear: Dončić is still one of the best players in the world. No matter where he plays, he’s going to make headlines.
