Lakers' Buss 'really proud' Luka trade talks didn't leak

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is happy that trade talks with the Dallas Mavericks were kept under wraps until the Luka Doncic deal was completed.

"The trade deadline is part of the business. It increases the level of stress for everybody," Buss told reporters Thursday, including ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "And I'm really proud that it didn't leak out and that we were able to execute the trade in a way that still was surprising to all the parties involved. But that goes with this business."

Mavs president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison first approached Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka about a potential Doncic deal in early January.

Those discussions continued for just under a month with only Buss, Pelinka, Harrison, and Dallas ownership aware that the blockbuster trade was in the works.

Harrison said he didn't speak with any other teams regarding a Doncic deal, citing Anthony Davis' defense as one of the primary motivators to do business with the Lakers.

However, a recent report indicated that Harrison reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves to see if they'd be willing to trade Anthony Edwards for Doncic.

"It was really important to me that we didn't blow up the team," Buss said. "If it had leaked out and the trade hadn't happened, that would be really unfair to the progress that the coaching staff had made with the team. Because it's a huge distraction."

Doncic is still adjusting to life with his new club, averaging 19.3 points, 9.7 boards, 6.7 assists, and 1.5 steals through his first six appearances with the purple and gold. He's shooting only 22.4% from deep and 36.5% from the field overall.

The Lakers have moved up to fourth in the West, winning eight of 10 games since trading for Doncic on Feb. 1.