The 35-year-old Morris, who won a world championship with the Lakers in 2020, on Tuesday spoke in support of the 25-year-old Doncic, who has been subject to reports he’s not in great physical condition.

Morris was part of the blockbuster trade that rocked the NBA this weekend, as he joined Maxi Kleber and Doncic moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the 2029 first-round pick went the other way. Morris thinks the deal will only push Doncic to get better.

DALLAS — Luka Doncic’s teammate Maxi Kleber, who was also part of the stunning trade that saw Doncic, Kleber and Markieff Morris traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, is among those defending Doncic amid reports of conditioning issues.