Luka Doncic's Manager Says Lakers Star Has 'Moved On' From Mavs' Decision to Trade Him

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has "moved on" in the words of his manager, Lara Beth Seager.

“He's only looking forward. And he's here," Seager said, per The Athletic's Dan Woike. "He wants to get the best players here. He wants to win, and he knows it starts with him. And I think that's what he proved this offseason. 'OK, everyone wants to say or people think that they know me or I'm not a leader or I'm this way, or I'm that way, I don't care. They can think and say whatever they want. I'm gonna show them who I am.'"

Dončić eliminated any doubt over his immediate future by signing a three-year extension that keeps him in Los Angeles through at least 2028. It's tough to imagine a more concrete statement from the five-time All-Star about his general mindset.

The deal sending Luka to L.A. from the Dallas Mavericks was one of the most stunning in NBA history. While there was some tension behind the scenes, he hadn't requested a trade, and teams typically don't jettison a franchise cornerstone who's entering his prime playing years.

Dončić's performance didn't change much once he started donning purple and gold. He averaged 28.2 points on 43.8 percent shooting along with 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 appearances.

Still, the 6'6" playmaker wrote after the fact he thought he'd play his entire career in Dallas, following in the footsteps of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki.

Not only did that change, but a midseason trade also meant Dončić didn't have a lot of time to mentally compartmentalize his exit and adjust to a new setting.

Now, the 26-year-old is more used to life in Southern California, and he has the satisfaction of knowing he's going to be the focal point for the Lakers well into the future thanks to his new contract.

High-level athletes can turn the smallest perceived slights into motivational fuel. Regardless of what Seager said, Dončić will probably carry a small chip on his shoulder every time he plays the Mavericks moving forward.

But he has definitely turned the page on the Dallas chapter of his NBA career.