Exactly one year after the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the NBA by landing Luka Doncic, head coach JJ Redick looked back on the moment he found out the franchise-altering trade was about to happen.
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet, Redick said the news reached him on Feb. 1, 2025, shortly after Los Angeles defeated the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
“I was in the hotel steam room after our coaches’ meeting,” Redick recalled. “Coach Ty (Abbott) walked in and asked what was wrong with me. I was carrying a lot, knowing the trade was about to happen and that it was my first game coaching the Lakers in the Garden.”
The deal sent shockwaves through the league and left Doncic, then 26, grappling with the unexpected move. After an uneven adjustment period, the Slovenian guard has rediscovered his form during the 2025-26 season and is now focused on bringing another championship to Los Angeles.
Redick acknowledged the difficulty of keeping the imminent trade quiet while the Lakers were beginning to find rhythm. The transaction has since emerged as a pivotal point in franchise history, positioning Doncic as the organization’s future cornerstone once LeBron James eventually retires.
James recently said he “loves everything” about Doncic, underscoring the chemistry that has developed between the two stars on and off the court.
Source: LakersNation.com
