Artist unveils new Luka Doncic-Kobe Bryant mural after Mavericks-Lakers trade

A legendary moment now sits in Los Angeles after the shocking trade between the Mavs and Lakers.

Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a basket against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The city of Los Angeles has started to accept that Luka Doncic is on the Lakers now. That deal with the Dallas Mavericks feels like a fever dream to some people, and a few Lakers fans have even admitted that the whole situation feels icky. But now that he's played a few games in the iconic purple and gold, LA is embracing their new superstar.

Instagram user @artoon_art put up a mural on Melrose Avenue of Luka Doncic and Kobe Bryant, depicting a time when Bryant trash-talked Doncic courtside in Slovenian about a month before Bryant passed in a helicopter crash.

READ MORE: New Mavericks CEO breaks silence on Luka Doncic-Lakers trade, arena plans

Luka Doncic has told the story about how he was getting ready to inbound the ball when he heard a deep voice behind him say something in Slovenian. He turns around to see Kobe Bryant sitting right behind him, and they had a nice moment after the game. Even in Doncic's introductory press conference, he mentioned the interaction and wished that Kobe and his daughter Gigi could've been there to see it.

On this day last year, Kobe stunned Luka by heckling him in Slovenian 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ru3Chp8qc5

— ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2020

In Doncic's two games with the Lakers, he's averaged 15 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.0 APG while playing on a tight restriction after coming off a pretty serious calf strain. Playing two games and getting another week off will be big for his game.

Meanwhile, for Dallas, their big piece from the trade lasted three quarters before suffering a serious injury. Anthony Davis went down with an Adductor strain that could keep him out for most of the regular season. Max Christie has played very well, but Dallas needs Davis back for any hope of a playoff push.

READ MORE: Mavericks need to clean their mess to salvage season

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