When the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić in the wee hours of Feb. 2, the immediate thought was that it was a fake report. After a few minutes and confirmation, reality set in, and the next immediate question that swirled in the wake of perhaps the most shocking trade in NBA history was why would the Dallas Mavericks trade Dončić?

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić has a win-now mentality as he trains this summer in anticipation of the 2025-26 NBA season, per comments made by ESPN's Dave McMenamin on NBA Today (2:00 mark).

The body, the publicity, the determined look in his eyes, the sweat reflecting the spotlights, it’s all part of Dončić’'s bigger plan.