Magic Johnson has placed his faith in Luka Doncic basing his experience with LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani. The 3x MVP has changed things for the Dodgers while filling a notable void in his baseball resume. Johnson believes Doncic will be able to paint a similar picture for himself in elevating the LA Lakers’ championship chances. Without someone as vital as Anthony Davis at that.
“Luka Doncic going to the Lakers is amazing for the NBA, just like Shohei Ohtani was when we signed him to the Dodgers,” Johnson wrote on X.
The Lakers legend also took a moment to give credit where it’s due, congratulating team owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka for pulling off the blockbuster deal. If Doncic lives up to the hype, this could be one of the biggest trades in franchise history.
Luka Doncic going to the Lakers is amazing for the NBA, just like Shohei Ohtani was when we signed him to the Dodgers! I want to congratulate Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka for bringing Luka Doncic to LA to play for our beloved Lakers!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 3, 2025
When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to that jaw-dropping 10-year, $700 million contract, they weren’t just paying for his On-Base Plus Slugging and Earned Run Average. They knew his value extended far beyond the field—sponsorships, merchandising, global branding… the whole package.
Now, let’s talk about those Ohtani-Doncic comparisons. Just like Ohtani, Doncic arrives in LA with a loaded resume. The guy’s been a star on the international stage long before he set foot in the NBA. But there’s one thing missing—an NBA championship. Sound familiar?
Ohtani had the same problem before landing in LA. He hadn’t won a World Series despite being one of the best players in baseball. That finally changed in 2024 when the Dodgers won it all. So, could Doncic follow that same path? Can he finally get his hands on an NBA title now that he’s a Laker? Johnson certainly thinks so.
“Luka Doncic will definitely make the Lakers a championship-contending team. He’ll take pressure off of LeBron because of his scoring ability and playmaking and will make every Laker better,” Johnson wrote in a previous post on X.
Of course, some fans have concerns—mainly about Doncic’s conditioning. But Johnson isn’t worried. He believes LeBron James will help keep Luka in top shape, leading by example.
“Wanted so badly to bring you a championship”: Luka Doncic responds to the trade
Luka Doncic’s trade sent shockwaves through the NBA world. Especially since he never asked for it and reportedly had no clue it was coming. If fans were blindsided, imagine the tug at his heartstrings. The 25-year-old surely isn’t thrilled with how things unfolded, but instead of airing frustrations, he took the high road.
He hopped on social media to express his gratitude to the city of Dallas while also embracing his new chapter with the Lakers.“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” he wrote.
This wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a heartfelt message to the city that became his home. “In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most,” further read the post by 5x All-Star.
He made sure to acknowledge the organizations he worked with throughout Dallas, but he saved a special shoutout for Mavs fans. “Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans.” As they say, all good things come to an end. So did Luka Doncic’s time with Maves. Now all that’s left is for him to lead his new team to new heights, as envisioned by Magic Johnson.
The post Luka Doncic Trade Compared to $700 Million Dodgers Deal As Magic Johnson Raises the Stakes Even Higher appeared first on EssentiallySports.
