Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is settling into his new team after an unexpected trade from the Dallas Mavericks. The move appeared sudden, especially given concerns about Doncic’s health.

Despite this, the five-time All-NBA guard remains a top-five talent, regardless of any conditioning or injury risks. Just last season, Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

When the trade was announced, many questioned general manager Nico Harrison’s decision to part ways with the franchise star. This led to negative narratives about Doncic from his former team, prompting Mavericks teammate Quentin Grimes to defend him in an interview with Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

Grimes was frustrated by the way Doncic was portrayed after leaving Dallas. He dismissed claims about Doncic’s conditioning and work ethic, insisting his former teammate was always in the gym during late-night shooting sessions or weightlifting on practice days.

“It’s just a narrative. Once it starts, people just go with it,” Grimes said. “If they say he’s 270 pounds and he gets to the Finals, then let him be 270. It’s ridiculous.”

Grimes was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers on February 8 in exchange for Caleb Martin. To make matters worse for Dallas, the 24-year-old has been excelling with the 76ers, recently dropping a career-high 44 points against the Golden State Warriors on March 1.

The Mavericks’ season has taken a turn for the worse, with Kyrie Irving suffering an ACL tear and key players like Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford sidelined. The situation in Dallas deteriorated for both the team and Doncic, giving the star added motivation to win a championship in Los Angeles.

It’s encouraging to see Grimes standing up for Doncic against misleading narratives. Now, all involved must focus on making the most of their fresh starts.

Luka Doncic Praises Lakers’ Chemistry After Comeback Win Against Knicks

The Lakers’ ability to win eight straight games while integrating Luka Doncic is impressive. However, their latest matchup against the New York Knicks presented significant adversity, with L.A. trailing by double digits for most of the game.

Fortunately, the Lakers mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, extending their winning streak. Doncic credited the team’s chemistry for helping them

secure the victory.