section_path: Professional career/Los Angeles Lakers (2025–present)
section_name: Los Angeles Lakers (2025–present)
paragraph_text: Los Angeles Lakers (2025–present)
  
  On February 2, 2025, Dončić was traded, alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers also traded Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz, who also acquired a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks. The trade was regarded as one of the most significant and unexpected in NBA history, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason. The Mavericks, who initiated the deal, drew heavy criticism for trading their franchise player, while Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the trade, stating, "I believe that defense wins championships ". Dončić on the other hand was blindsided by the trade; he was not told of it until the deal was done, according to Harrison.
  
  At the time of the trade, Dončić had not played since Christmas Day as he had been sidelined with a calf strain. He recovered from his injury and made his Laker debut on February 10 against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points in 24 minutes as the Lakers won 132–113. On February 25, Dončić put up his first triple-double as a Laker with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 107–99 win over his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. On March 4, Dončić recorded 30 points and 15 assists 136–115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He became only the fourth player in Lakers history to post those totals in a single game after LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. Dončić made his emotional return to Dallas on April 9, where he was honored with a pregame video tribute and was met with cheers from the crowd throughout the game. He matched his season-high with 45 points in a 112–97 win over the Mavericks, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the second player in NBA history to score at least 45 points both for and against the same team in the same season.
  
  Dončić made his playoff debut as a Laker on April 19, in Game 1 of the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 37 points, along with 8 rebounds, in a losing effort. Dončić would then record 31 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists in a 94–85 Game 2 win, the lone Los Angeles victory. Following a 38-point outing in a Game 4 loss on April 27, his 28-point, 7-rebound, 9-assist performance in Game 5 three days later, despite suffering a lower back injury in the second quarter and proceeding to play through the ailment, was not enough as the Lakers fell 103–96 and Minnesota closed out the series 4–1, eliminating the Lakers.
  
  On February 2, 2025, Dončić was traded, alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers also traded Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz, who also acquired a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks. The trade was regarded as one of the most significant and unexpected in NBA history, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason. The Mavericks, who initiated the deal, drew heavy criticism for trading their franchise player, while Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the trade, stating, "I believe that defense wins championships ". Dončić on the other hand was blindsided by the trade; he was not told of it until the deal was done, according to Harrison.
  
  At the time of the trade, Dončić had not played since Christmas Day as he had been sidelined with a calf strain. He recovered from his injury and made his Laker debut on February 10 against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points in 24 minutes as the Lakers won 132–113. On February 25, Dončić put up his first triple-double as a Laker with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 107–99 win over his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. On March 4, Dončić recorded 30 points and 15 assists 136–115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He became only the fourth player in Lakers history to post those totals in a single game after LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. Dončić made his emotional return to Dallas on April 9, where he was honored with a pregame video tribute and was met with cheers from the crowd throughout the game. He matched his season-high with 45 points in a 112–97 win over the Mavericks, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the second player in NBA history to score at least 45 points both for and against the same team in the same season.
  
  Dončić made his playoff debut as a Laker on April 19, in Game 1 of the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 37 points, along with 8 rebounds, in a losing effort. Dončić would then record 31 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists in a 94–85 Game 2 win, the lone Los Angeles victory. Following a 38-point outing in a Game 4 loss on April 27, his 28-point, 7-rebound, 9-assist performance in Game 5 three days later, despite suffering a lower back injury in the second quarter and proceeding to play through the ailment, was not enough as the Lakers fell 103–96 and Minnesota closed out the series 4–1, eliminating the Lakers.