Luka Doncic: Lakers In A Good Spot One Year After Historic Trade From Mavericks

Luka Doncic says the Los Angeles Lakers are positioned well one year after the major trade from the Dallas Mavericks, even though a 112-100 defeat to the New York Knicks on Sunday exposed areas that still

need work. Doncic delivered 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists at Madison Square Garden but could not drag the Lakers to a comeback.

After that loss, Doncic reflected on how far the Lakers have come since the move and how the group is developing around the new core. The Slovenian star is averaging 33.6 points per game in his first full campaign with Los Angeles, which is the highest scoring rate of Doncic’s NBA career across any season.

Despite falling short in New York, the Lakers stay firmly in the Western Conference race. They own a 29-19 record and sit within four games of second place in the standings, keeping realistic hopes of a deep play-off run. Dallas, by contrast, has slipped to 19-30 and has already shifted into rebuild mode following Doncic’s exit.

Head coach JJ Redick remains encouraged by how the Lakers have handled a demanding schedule and squad changes. "We’re right there in the playoff chase in the West. I think our guys have been great all season," Redick said. "They’ve really done a nice job of responding to the ups and downs that a season presents. "

Redick also underlined how rare it is for any front office to construct a completely balanced group. "I think whether you’re a GM, a coach, a player, you’re never going to look at a roster and say, ‘this is a perfect roster, and all the pieces fit perfectly together.’ That doesn’t really happen a lot," Redick said, praising the squad’s ability to connect on court.

Doncic backed that sentiment by pointing to the strength of the locker room, even when performances fall short. "I think we’re in a good spot," Doncic said. "Obviously, we’ve got some work to do. Today, we missed a lot of good looks, but I think we have a great group. " Those remarks underline a belief that results will improve as chemistry grows.

Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James on injury impact

LeBron James, who extended a historic run of All-Star honours on Sunday, also highlighted inconsistency caused by fitness problems. James has now been selected for 22 consecutive All-Star Games, lengthening an NBA record. However, injuries to James, Austin Reaves and others have disrupted line-ups and slowed the Lakers’ search for their highest level.

"I like this group," James said. "We’ve had some really good moments. We have some not-so-good moments. We want to continue to try to build off that. It’s been tough all season as far as dealing with injuries goes. Guys have been in and out. Unfortunately, our All-Star 2-guard has been out for a minute, and that’s a big piece of our team.So, it’s kind of hard to see what we can really, truly be. "

The impact of those absences has increased the responsibility on Doncic at both ends of the floor. Even with high minute loads and constant defensive attention, Doncic has lifted Los Angeles back into championship contention, while also adjusting to a new system under Redick and a different role alongside a veteran star such as James.

Lakers trade for Luka Doncic and franchise direction

The shift in direction for both franchises dates back to the night of February 1 into February 2, 2025, when the Lakers completed what many observers called one of the biggest trades in NBA history. Los Angeles acquired Doncic from Dallas in a three-team deal that also involved the Utah Jazz and reset the ambitions of every side involved.

The Lakers handed over Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick to the Mavericks as part of that swap, with Utah helping to make the salary structures work. The move ended the All-Star partnership between James and Davis, while giving Dallas significant assets and cap flexibility as the Mavericks planned for the future.

Dallas fans reacted angrily to Doncic’s departure, and Dallas has struggled since, slipping to a 19-30 record this season. The Mavericks have already accepted a rebuilding phase, focusing on younger players and draft capital. For the Lakers, those same twelve months have brought a new offensive leader and a return to talk of a possible title push.

Redick has liked how the roster has adjusted to the tactical and emotional demands of such a huge move. "The guys have done a great job over the last month of trying to play for each other and play good basketball together," Redick said. That response has helped Los Angeles stay competitive while line-ups change and rotations settle.

The different paths of the Lakers and Mavericks are reflected in both the standings and individual numbers. The table below summarises the contrasting records and Doncic’s production for this campaign.

The Lakers’ 29-19 mark places them in the upper tier of the Western Conference, while Dallas sits at 19-30 and outside the leading play-off spots. Doncic’s average of 33.6 points per game demonstrates why Los Angeles paid such a heavy price in the trade and why expectations around the team have increased.

Final pic.twitter.com/80R3Xc5kOxLos Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 2, 2026

As the season moves on from the defeat in New York, the Lakers carry a mix of optimism and caution. Doncic is delivering career-best scoring, James remains an All-Star presence and Redick sees progress, yet the full potential of this roster will only be clear once key players, including Austin Reaves, enjoy a consistent run without injuries.