Luka Doncic’s transition to the Los Angeles Lakers has come with a unique level of support behind the scenes. Lakers Governor and President Jeanie Buss recently disclosed that she tasked JJ Redick and Dorian Finney-Smith with helping the former Dallas Mavericks superstar settle into his new environment in Los Angeles. In a conversation with Rich Eisen, Buss also revealed a private talk in which Doncic shared his wish that Kobe Bryant could have been present for his move.

Addressing the challenge of joining a high-profile franchise like the Lakers, Jeanie Buss explained why she chose Redick and Finney-Smith to mentor Doncic. Redick briefly played with Doncic in Dallas during the 2020-21 season, while Finney-Smith spent several years with him on the Mavericks until he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2023. Both were acquired by the Lakers to bolster the roster—an added bonus being their established rapport with Doncic.

“He’s got to figure out how to fit into this team. But you know, J.J. Redick played with him…with the Mavericks. So they had a relationship. Dorian Finney-Smith, who had been his teammate with the Mavericks, we had just acquired a few weeks before. So you know we’re just trying to build that continuity, that community where he feels embraced and you know he can accomplish all the things that he wants to,” said Jeanie about her attempt to help Luka’s transition go smoothly.

So far, their efforts appear to be paying off. Doncic recorded his first triple-double as a Laker against his former team, demonstrating his comfort on the court. Meanwhile, Finney-Smith looked more in sync with Doncic in their latest game, overcoming any early miscommunication. Redick’s involvement has helped reintegrate his former teammate into an entirely new Lakers system, while Buss’s forward-thinking approach aims to establish a sense of family from day one.

Jeanie Buss reveals Luka Doncic’s deep bond with a Lakers legend

Beyond day-to-day adjustments, Doncic brought an emotional connection to Los Angeles—specifically, his admiration for the late Kobe Bryant. Buss told Rich Eisen that during a private conversation, Doncic mentioned he wished Bryant were still alive to see his surprising move to the Lakers.

“He [Luka] said he really wished that Kobe was there … That was like a very important relationship. You know that Kobe really took him under his wing and was supportive of him,” she revealed to Rich Eisen. However, she also revealed that despite Bryant being gone, Luka feels his spirit lives on at the Lakers. “I think he feels that even though without Kobe present that there’s that kind of feel with our organization,” said Buss.

And Luka himself hasn’t shied away from publicly revealing how much he misses Kobe. “I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment,” said Doncic during his Lakers’ introduction.

Doncic’s connection to Bryant has also been immortalized by Los Angeles artist Arutyun Gozukuchikyan, who painted a mural of a memorable moment between the two. The artwork, created with a spray can, shows Doncic and Bryant together during a Mavericks-Lakers game—a testament to their respect and admiration. For Doncic, the image is a constant reminder of his idol’s influence as he steps onto the court in the Purple and Gold.

Whether Doncic can live up to Kobe’s legacy in Los Angeles remains uncertain. Yet, with each passing day, he grows more embedded in the fabric of Laker Nation—carrying the memory of Bryant, leaning on the friendship of former Dallas teammates, and guided by a front office determined to make his move a rousing success.