The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling right now, and a big reason for that is the acquisition of Luka Doncic. When the trade went down just about a month ago, it shocked everyone.
The NBA world went full mayhem as a trade of that magnitude had not been seen for quite some time, if ever. It felt like the Lakers threw some mud at the wall to see if it would stick, and the Dallas Mavericks went for it. It was even reported that the Utah Jazz, the third team involved in the trade, had no idea that Doncic was part of the package until the final minute.
However, there is some new reporting that details that the Lakers had been planning this trade out for quite some time, and everyone in the building knew about it.
Lakers Were In On Luka Doncic Trade For A While
The Ringer’s NBA Analyst Kirk Goldsberry was on The Dumb Zone podcast detailing the historic trade, and while the rest of the sports world was shocked, the Lakers organization had been working collectively to make it happen.
“Well, I know that the whole group, the front office, knew what was happening for a month almost. The front office was at work, putting a roster together and building trade deadline scenarios based on a reality where they might have number 77 in Purple and Gold. This was not kept quiet. I don’t believe the Lakers kept this between Jeanie and Rob Pelinka. I don’t think that happened.”
After the trade was exercised, many in media believed that Pelinka and Buss worked quietly and swiftly, almost behind everyone’s back, to pull it off. There were even some reports stating that there were members in the front office who were “stunned” and “furious,” leading us to believe that they were completely blindsided.
However, according to Goldsberry, that just wasn’t the case. The Lakers had a hypothetical vision board, and Luka Doncic had been on that board for quite some time. Then, they went to work to make that dream a reality and add a new superstar to the roster.
They did just that, and the rest is history.
Also Read: Luka Doncic Shocks Fans Ahead Of Game Against Dallas Mavericks