It is extremely easy to be a fan of Luka Doncic, especially considering that he is an absolute wizard when he hits the court.
His stepback threes are elite. His passing vision is ridiculous. His clutch gene and confidence in big moments are legit. The list goes on and on, but the thing Los Angeles Lakers fans will grow to appreciate most is his loyalty.
Luka Doncic’s loyalty is what will truly win over Lakers fans
When it comes to loyalty, it is not the kind of trait that shows up in highlight reels. For Doncic, it is something that is part of who he is.
As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon put it, “Luka Doncic is by nature an extremely loyal person.”
That statement is true and one that has held up since Doncic was at a young age. Back when he was still a teenager, he showed tremendous loyalty.
He could have taken the easy route and played for Spain, a national powerhouse, but he stuck with Slovenia, his home country. To this day, he still suits up for them any chance he gets, playing every meaningful game he can.
Doncic’s loyalty does not just stop there. He gave everything to the Dallas Mavericks. The franchise traded for him on draft night, and he repaid them with seven-plus years of brilliance.
Countless MVP-caliber seasons, All-NBA performances, and deep playoff runs, including a finals appearance. His time with the Mavs made him one of the league’s most exciting young stars.
That is what made the news of the Mavs trading him last season to Los Angeles so shocking. He never publicly asked out once. Even when things behind the scenes got rocky, he stayed the course. It was clear that Doncic did not leave Dallas; it was Dallas that moved on from him.
When Doncic arrived in Los Angeles, no one would have blamed him for taking his time before making any long-term decisions. That is just not how he operates.
After just 28 games in purple and gold, and the second he had a chance to extend, he did not hesitate. Doncic inked a new three-year, $165 million deal with the squad.
In a league where players move around constantly, chasing rings or better situations, Doncic choosing to put down roots in Los Angeles really matters. He is not here to rent a jersey. He is here to build something.
We will all keep loving the buckets and the stunning cold-blooded fourth-quarter moments. But over time, it is Doncic’s heart and his loyalty that might make him one of the most beloved Lakers of this era.