Magic Johnson (Photo by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images) and Luka Doncic (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
The Luka Doncic trade was not only a blockbuster trade. It also meant that the Los Angeles Lakers were banking heavily on Doncic for success. Coming to play alongside LeBron James, the expectations from Doncic was to reprieve the Lakers their lost glory. Unfortunately, while the 25-year-old did have a few good games, their hopes of a championship run was cut short. Facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers suffered a harsh defeat to bow out of the season. Now, with a new season approaching, NBA icon Magic Johnson has some straightforward message for the Slovenian star.
In a recent appearance on the ‘Get Up’ show, Johnson could be spotted talking about Doncic. The Lakers’ icon heaped praises on Doncic for his impeccable talents. He also acknowledged how the 25-year-old has helped the Dallas Mavericks reach new heights. However, along with all that, Johnson also stated that now, Doncic needs to up the ante for the Lakers too.
“It’s great what you did in Dallas. But the difference is, in Los Angeles, we expect championships. And we expect our superstars to lead us to a championship. LeBron has already done that. Now we want Luka to do the same thing,” said Johnson.
.@MagicJohnson has a message for Luka Doncic 👀
“It’s great what you did in Dallas. But the difference is, in Los Angeles, we expect championships. And we expect our superstars to lead us to a championship. LeBron has already done that. Now we want Luka to do the same thing.” pic.twitter.com/SQocwLswnw
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 12, 2025
Now, these words would surely put the pressure back on Doncic. While he was spotted to have allegedly lost weight and back in practice, it will be an uphill task for him to take the Lakers to a championship contention next season. Meanwhile, according to Dominique Wilkins, the Luka Doncic trade has made LeBron James’ role in the team secondary.
Dominique Wilkins Cites Luka Doncic As Lakers’ Main Man
Luka Doncic (Photo by Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)
Till now, the Los Angeles Lakers was considered as LeBron James’ team. However, all that has changed the moment Luka Doncic was traded. According to NBA legend Dominique Wilkins, Doncic will now be the one to lead the Lakers. And while James will surely be a part, he will be moving to a secondary role.
“It’s definitely Luka’s team. A 25-year-old guy compared to a guy who is 40. You should be willing to hand over those ranks to him. I don’t think that’s even a question. I think that’s what the plan is,” said Wilkins.
List of players in NBA history to have a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams
— LeBron James
— Russell Westbrook
— Luka DoncicLegendary 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oba1S8aJ7N
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) May 18, 2025
Thus, with things looking pretty interesting, it remains to be seen what happens next.
Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.
Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.
‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.
‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’
‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.
The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.
‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.
‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’
Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.
During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.
Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.
‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.
‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’
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