Two years ago, no one could have fathomed the idea of Luka Dončić retiring anywhere but Dallas. The Mavericks had built a team capable of making the Finals around him and his fierce loyalty all made it seem like a done deal that he’d be the Dirk Nowitzki successor and play his whole career in Texas.
Everyone knows what transpired next with Luka shockingly being shipped to Los Angeles. The Lakers have worked to build a team around their new superstar, who still remains as loyal as ever. And given how
the Lakers have treated him, it’s not surprising that Luka now feels the same about his new franchise as he did about his last.
In a recent interview with Melissa Rohlin of the California Post, he said he feels comfortable in Los Angeles and wants to finish his career in purple and gold (emphasis added).
“After that, at training camp last year, I felt I was where I belonged,” Dončić told the California Post. “I feel very good in LA. I’m very excited. Very happy. Obviously it’s a beautiful place to live. But just being with the Lakers organization, being a part of it, it’s such an honor. It’s amazing to be here.”
Dončić has embraced the whiplash-inducing change he never envisioned.
When asked if he wants to retire as a Laker, he didn’t hesitate.
“Hopefully, yeah,” Dončić told the California Post. “But as you know in this NBA business, you never know what’s going to happen. But I feel like I’ve found something here that’s very comfortable for me. And hopefully [that happens].”
While this is the first time Luka has said he wants to retire with the franchise, the overall sentiment of wanting to remain with the franchise has been consistent pretty much since he landed in Los Angeles.
The ball, then, is in the Lakers’ court. If Luka wants to be with the franchise for the rest of his career, it’s on them to put a team around him to remain competitive.
It is encouraging, though, that Luka wants to be here long-term. The challenge now is to make sure he keeps that mindset.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
