Jeanie Buss reveals magical Kobe Bryant connection about Luka Doncic trade

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has been making the headlines lately for her recent comments regarding Luka Doncic and the late Kobe Bryant.

Jeanie Buss reveals magical Kobe Bryant connection about Luka Doncic trade

Jeanie Buss, Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers made a huge move at this year’s trade market deadline: acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. In the beginning, many thought that the deal was fake. But in actuality, it well and truly happened, and it escalated quickly. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss recently sat down on a podcast show to discuss this blockbuster trade.

In the hours leading up to the Los Angeles Lakers’ first meeting with the Dallas Mavericks since the Luka Doncic trade, Buss discussed the franchise-altering trade. This was on “The Rich Eisen Show.” Buss discussed Luka’s unique bond with Lakers great Kobe Bryant with Eisen during their talk. Buss’s words regarding Bryant and Doncic moved the Lakers’ fanbase.

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I look back, and I remember the last time I saw Kobe alive—about a month before he passed, He had brought Gigi to a Lakers game to see Luka play because Luka was Gigi’s favorite player. The idea that Luka is now a Laker—I know how happy that would have made Kobe and Gigi.

Jeanie Buss said on ‘The Rich Eisen Show’

Doncic and Bryant were not particularly close, but Bryant expressed his admiration for the Slovenian’s style of play. When Kobe and Luka were courtside for the December 29, 2019, matchup between LeBron James and Doncic in Los Angeles, “The Black Mamba” and his daughter Gigi had a memorable moment. This was when the icon used Slovenian to mock the then-Mavs star.

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Also, Buss continued by saying that she had never imagined herself in a position where a player of Doncic’s caliber would be starring for the Lakers. Furthermore, a major talking point was how the deal was done. Because neither party spoke to the players or the NBA media. Buss justified the move, saying it was the ‘only option.’

Luka Doncic made a heartwarming Kobe Bryant statement in his first meet-up with Jeanie Buss

Jeanie Buss spoke about a number of topics surrounding the Luka Doncic trade. According to the Lakers’ owner, Doncic is adjusting to his new squad quite nicely, and the team is making every effort to ensure a smooth transfer. However, what caught everyone’s attention was Buss’s take on Doncic and the late Kobe Bryant. As per Buss, Doncic made a heartwarming statement regarding Bryant.

The first thing I said to him was, ‘You’re gonna write your own chapter in the Lakers history book. We’re excited to have you.’ And he said he really wished that Kobe was there.

Jeanie Buss said

Notably, Doncic and Bryant shared a deep bond off the court. The late Lakers star significantly impacted the Slovenian’s career. He discussed how Bryant contacted him at Nike headquarters and provided him priceless advice. Doncic said this as he was about to enter the NBA. This was during a segment on then-podcaster JJ Redick‘s “The Old Man and the Three” podcast.