Luka Doncic introduced by Lakers: 'I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment'
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - After one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers introduced Luka Doncic at their practice facility in El Segundo on Tuesday morning.
"I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event," said Lakers general manager, Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka also spoke about the magnitude of adding an international superstar to the roster.
"He plays with joy and if you think about kids in Barcelona or kids in Buenos Aires or children in Shanghai or Sydney, they’re going to be wearing a number 77 Luka Doncic jersey," he said.
See some top highlights from the introductory press conference below.
Doncic: ‘I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment'

Kobe Bryant's spirit and Mamba Mentality were very present.
""Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me," said the five-time NBA All-Star.
"I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment. I’m happy about this new journey and happy to be here," Doncic said.
The last time Kobe and Gigi appeared at "The House that Kobe Built," the Lakers played the Dallas Mavericks. The two were there so Gigi could watch Doncic, who was one of her favorite players.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks talks to Kobe Bryant during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Remembering Kobe Bryant's final appearance at Staples Center
"I think it’s interesting if all of us watch Luka play, he has a combination of basketball joy and killer instinct which is really rare, that was 8 and 24," said Pelinka in reference to seeing some of Kobe Bryant in Doncic.
Doncic describes the last 48 hours as ‘hard’

Part of what made the trade so shocking was that Doncic was considered untouchable, and he was expected to retire as a Dallas Maverick.
"I was almost asleep, so when I got the call I had to make sure it wasn’t April 1st. It was a big shock. It was a hard moment for me. It was home," Doncic recalled.
"It was honestly hard at first. That first day was really hard. I feel like these last 48 hours were like one month. Emotionally, it was really hard but every day…today was much better. I’m just very happy to be here for this opportunity. It’s the Lakers. It’s one of the best clubs in history, so I'm excited to be here," Doncic said.
He later added, "I think loyalty is a big word for me and I was going to stay by that. But I get a fresh start, and I got the ocean here and that’s a really big thing for me. I’m really excited to be here and play for the Lakers. Not everyone can say that."
How did this trade come to be?
"This all started with a coffee in Dallas when Nico [Harrison] approached us with the concept, because there was a partnership and history between Nico and myself working around Kobe Bryant, there was a fabric of trust in the discussions," Pelinka said.
He then said the idea came to fruition after a course of about three weeks.
Doncic on playing with LeBron James
While Doncic said he looks forward to playing with LeBron James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, he also admitted he’s still processing the big move.
"I think we both make our teammates better. I think our IQ is very high, so I think that’s going to help everybody. I haven’t really thought about basketball much these days. I’m just excited to work with him…every day that goes by is going to be better."
Doncic’s former teammate, JJ Redick, becomes his coach
Lakers head coach JJ Redick and Luka Doncic were teammates in 2021. When asked about their relationship, Doncic said he has the utmost respect for him.

(Getty Images)
"First of all, he couldn’t move at all," Doncic joked. "It was a great relationship. I really respect him. You don’t see me go on podcasts, but I went on his podcast twice, so you know how much respect I have for him, so I’m really excited that I can play for him."
The urgency to win a championship now with LeBron James’ inevitable retirement
Pelinka said there is always an urgency to win a championship for the organization.
"The urgency is ever present from the first day I started taking this job…there’s always an urgency to win championships. That’s what the Lakers set out to do and that’s the expectations of our fans," the Lakers GM said.
He also addressed concerns about where the Lakers stand without a high-caliber center amid Anthony Davis’ departure.
"You have to be realistic. If there’s not a championship big on the market right now, I can’t wave a wand and create that opportunity."
Is Luka playing tonight?
The 25-year-old, who celebrates his 26th birthday at the end of the month, continues to recover from a calf injury and the Lakers did not specify a debut date for the international superstar.
"For the first time I took my time, other times I just wanted to get back on the court. This time I took my time to get back to 100%," Doncic explained.
"We have 5-on- 5 scheduled tomorrow and we’re going to take it one day at a time to make sure the calf injury is in a good and safe place," Pelinka added.
For now, Doncic is considered day-to-day.
Anthony Davis arrives in Dallas
On Monday, the Mavericks shared "The Brow is on location."
"We’re excited to be a part of the organization, being part of the team. We’re going to do something special with y’all, man," Davis said in a video with Max Christie that was posted to the Mavs’ X account.
Also on Monday, Davis wrote a heartfelt post about his time as a Laker.
"6 years ago, I came here with the vision to win a Championship, and I will never forget the moment we did! The business of basketball is a business just like all other businesses… I am grateful to the city where my first ring came from, grew my family and friendships and I will always have a home here," the big man wrote. "My family and I thank everyone who made this place home and we are still thinking of those that lost their homes in the fires. To my teammates: our friendships go beyond a locker room and a jersey…LA will always have a special place in my heart. Every great story has an exciting next chapter… Dallas- Here we come!"