Lakers' Luka Doncic Reveals Favorite City in Southern California

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade that shook the basketball world to the core this season.

In a deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, among other pieces involved, there was quite a bit of a shift for Doncic as he would be moving teams, states, and having a superstar teammate who is the game's All-Time scoring leader.

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The teammate in question, LeBron James, hosts a podcast with NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash called Mind the Game, which recently hosted Doncic and discussed his career thus far. The trio also got into Doncic's favorite city in California after completing his big move to the Lakers.

"First place I would drive is Santa Barbara, I was there when I was 17 or something…I really like that, peaceful."

Doncic also noted that he dislikes traffic, as a true local would state, and enjoys the quietness.

His superstar teammate pointed out that one of the first things that Doncic talked about when discussing his adjustment to L.A. was his love for the beaches.

With three wine glasses on hand during the podcast, Nash naturally brought up how Santa Barbara is one of the best destinations for wine connoisseurs, but Doncic playfully reminded the co-host that he wasn't yet of legal age during his first visit.

"There wasn't a lot to drink at 17 so, I don't know," Doncic said as the three chuckled.

Nash is an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP during his 18 years in the NBA. He is quite the player to talk basketball with, as Doncic is a five-time All-Star point guard and has much larger aspirations in his career.

Doncic and James will prepare for their first full season together after this offseason that ended far too early at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. At just 26 years old, the Slovenian superstar looks to be the heir apparent to the Lakers franchise, and will likely do whatever he can to end the 2025-26 season with an NBA title.

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