Remember two months ago, when the whole NBA was stunned when Luka Doncic got traded from the Mavs to the Lakers for Anthony Davis? And Mavs fans surely didn’t take it well. But flip the script around for a second. You are a Lakers fan. Boy, you just landed a 25-year-old killer to run with LeBron James. You are not mad, you are celebrating. Luka’s a triple-double machine. And that is not something you let slide. Even Gilbert Arenas three-time All-Star and die-hard Lakers fan was hyped out of his mind. He’s so into Luka that he joked about taking extra care of him just to keep him happy.
After Luka’s trade, Mavs fans wanted a real explanation for this unprecedented move. In response, Mavericks majority owner Patrick Dumont said, “This was a decision about the future.” But that wasn’t the whole story. Reports suggested growing concerns over Luka’s off-court habits, including hookah sessions, casual beers, and a lifestyle that raised a few red flags.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, some within the organization predicted a decline in his game within the next five years. But Luka’s performance tells a different story. He was the backbone of the Mavs’ Finals run last season and hasn’t slowed down since joining the Lakers. As far as Gilbert Arenas is concerned, if Luka keeps scoring like this, everything else doesn’t matter.
Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
In a recent interview, Lakers fan and former NBA star Gilbert Arenas made his stance on Luka pretty clear. “We are going to take very great care of him, right?” he said with a smile. Then came the bombshell. Gilbert continued, “If he smokes hookah, we got f—ing hookah lounges for him… if he wants a hookah in his locker room, he can have one.” That might sound wild, but there’s a condition, Luka’s performance has to stay as good as it is now. As Gilbert put it, “Until his production doesn’t match the tardiness.” As long as the stepbacks fall and the scoreboard glows, Luka could light a hookah mid-timeout, and fans would still chant MVP.
Now Gilbert’s take might sound a little bit extreme, but it echoes how the league treats its performance star first, everything else later. But at the same time, it raises the question: should talent excuse habits, or should teams demand both discipline and dominance? Well, for now, Luka’s numbers are doing all the talking. And as long as he keeps delivering, the Lakers clearly aren’t asking too many questions.
Luka Doncic parts ways with Dallas, leaving behind a city that once called him its heartbeat
“I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from home.” With those words, Luka Doncic officially said goodbye to the Dallas Mavericks and their fans. It’s a farewell that stung as much as it stirred memories. In February this year, the blockbuster trade became official: Luka to the Lakers, in exchange for Anthony Davis. And with it, an unforgettable chapter in Dallas basketball quietly came to a close.
In a heartfelt letter to the city, Luka wrote, “I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” and confessed that he thought he’d wear a Mavericks jersey for his entire career. For fans who watched him grow from a teenage sensation to a generational talent, it really pulls the string. Luka wasn’t just the face of the team, he was the heartbeat. His No. 77 jersey wasn’t just among the league’s top sellers, it became a symbol of hope in Dallas.
Even after 422 games, he leaves as one of the greatest to ever suit up for the franchise. Sixth in scoring, second in three-pointers behind only Dirk Nowitzki, third in rebounds, and fifth in assists. Indeed, Luka made every night feel electric. But beyond the stats, it was the moments: the buzzer-beaters, the no-look passes, the fiery stare-downs, and that signature smirk. Dallas didn’t just watch a star. They watched a legacy begin.
Luka isn’t just testing defenses — he’s testing limits. In Dallas, that tension finally snapped. In L.A., they’re rewriting the rules to keep him happy. But, Gilbert’s comment was a mirror. Because if the Lakers truly go all-in on Luka’s terms, they better hope he keeps delivering on the floor
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