It’s been a whirlwind for Mavericks fans the past few days, but no one seems more stunned than Jalen Rose. The ex-NBA star and analyst just can’t wrap his head around Dallas shipping Luka Doncic off to the Lakers. While Rose has already predicted big things for a LeBron-Luka duo in LA, he has a blunt message for the Mavericks’ ownership.

Taking to social media, Rose made it clear that plenty of people had asked for his take on the trade. His response? Absolute disbelief. “If you don’t want to pay Luka, sell the team!” he fired off. And he didn’t stop there.

“I’ll be very direct about what I think,” he continued. “Y’all could talk about him being out of shape… y’all could talk about his lifestyle, his bad habits… or whatever. Here’s what I do know: he’s 25 years old, he’s been All-NBA five times, and he just led y’all to the Finals!”

Now, that’s a heavy statement. But Jalen Rose didn’t stop with just Luka’s stats—he went even further, comparing him to one of the all-time greats. “He’s a modern-day Larry Bird!” he declared. And while every young star has flaws, Rose believes teams should give them time to grow. “There are a lot of people in the NBA that have bad habits—especially young players. You have to give them a chance to grow and mature. So congratulations, Lakers. Congratulations, Rob Pelinka. I guess both of them gonna get statues in LA because I believe they gonna get chips too!”

That’s a bold comparison. Bird’s intricate resume speaks for itself—three NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and 12 All-Star appearances. So, can Luka live up to that? The talent is there, no question about it.

At just 25, Luka is already a five-time All-Star and widely considered a top-three player in the league. And even in what some are calling a ‘weaker’ season, his numbers tell a different story—28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on 46.4% shooting. If this is Luka at his worst, then the Lakers just hit the jackpot. And Jalen Rose knows it!

Jalen Rose’s expectations on LeBron-Doncic duo

The debate has been non-stop—can Luka Doncic and LeBron James coexist in Los Angeles? Both are ball-dominant playmakers, and sharing the floor effectively will take some adjustment. But while fans and analysts keep questioning the fit, Jalen Rose isn’t losing any sleep over it.

“Watching him with LeBron [James] this year is gonna be great,” Rose said on NBA TV. But of course, there will be an adjustment period. “They gotta figure out, like, who’s gonna be the primary ball-handler, they gotta make each other look good.”

Still, Rose is confident their sky-high basketball IQs will make it a smooth transition under JJ Redick. “Ultimately, they are two of the most intelligent players to ever play the game. Two of the most versatile players to ever play the game. They’re gonna make each other better,” he added.

But can this duo catapult the lagging Lakers back into championship contention? Rose still isn’t so sure. “For the Lakers, it’s not about winning a championship this year. For the Lakers, it’s about being relevant,” he pointed out. As dominant as LeBron and Luka can be, the team’s immediate goal is staying competitive, not necessarily lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy. “I don’t think they win another championship with LeBron [James],” Rose admitted.

Why the doubt? Rose believes the Lakers still have glaring weaknesses, particularly in their frontcourt depth. While the Luka-LeBron duo brings star power, the real challenge will be building a complete roster around them. Now, it’s up to the Lakers to prove whether this gamble pays off or not.