Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take ‘conditioning seriously’

[ad_1]

Lakers legend Magic Johnson, right, applauded the team’s acquisition of former Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, but he says Doncic has to take conditioning seriously. (Carolyn Kaster, LM Otero / Associated Press)

Magic Johnson is over the moon about the Lakers’ surprise acquisition of former Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic over the weekend.

On Sunday, the Showtime-era legend posted no fewer than seven times on X expressing his pleasure with the transaction and his excitement for the Lakers’ future. Johnson said he “can hardly wait to see Luka in a Lakers jersey in Crypto arena,” that the deal “is amazing for the NBA” and that Doncic “will definitely make the Lakers a championship-contending team.”

He also compared the move to the Dodgers — a team in which Johnson owns a minority stake — signing Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani before their 2024 World Series championship season.

Johnson did, however, have one tiny critique of sorts aimed at Doncic, tucked at the very end of one of his posts.

“LeBron James will be a positive influence on Luka,” Johnson wrote, “teaching him his championship mentality that includes taking his conditioning seriously.”

Read more: Here’s why the Lakers believe LeBron James will not ask to be traded

Doncic has been named an All-Star in five of his seven NBA seasons. Last year, he finished third in the league’s MVP voting, won the trophy for Western Conference finals MVP (which happens to be named after Johnson) and helped the Mavericks make the NBA Finals.

He is scheduled to be introduced as a Laker on Tuesday morning, days after a blockbuster trade sent him, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to L.A. in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round draft pick (the Utah Jazz also received Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers and second-round picks from L.A. and Dallas to facilitate the trade).

The Times reported that Dallas general manager Nico Harrison approached Lakers GM Rob Pelinka about the possibility of a deal. According to ESPN, one of the reasons the Mavericks initiated the talks was “significant frustration within the organization about Doncic’s lack…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/luka-doncic-230-260-pounds-202845573.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-02-03 20:28:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.