Ahead of the first round of the NBA playoffs tonight, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic reflected on the night when everything changed. In a chat with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, he brought a “souvenir” from the night of the blockbuster deal: a cracked and bruised iPhone, which Doncic claims he threw in a fit of rage in response to the deal.
Malika Andrews: “You hung up the phone the night that you were traded, and you threw it?”
Luka Doncic: “Yes.”
Malika Andrews: “Do you still use that phone?”
Luka Doncic: “Yeah, it still works.”
According to Doncic, he was lying in bed when he learned about the trade. He had no idea it was coming, and all he could feel was pure shock and confusion when he learned that he was no longer a Maverick. Doncic admits he was heartbroken, and it’s a wound he still carries today.
“I was in bed. My TV wasn’t working, so I was in my bed watching a movie and about to go to sleep,” said Doncic. “The first thing I said, probably like three times, was that it’s April first. I was feeling sadness, mostly. I was in shock, a crazy shock, and I felt like my heart was broken, honestly.”
The Luka trade qualifies as one of the most shocking in NBA history. Doncic, 26, is in the prime of his career, and he rose to stardom over seven years with the Mavericks. In 422 games with the franchise, Luka averaged 28.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. He took the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and to the NBA Finals last summer alongside Kyrie Irving.
Despite his success in Dallas, the franchise turned on him without warning and denied him the chance for a supermax contract extension. They also smeared his reputation with claims of a poor work ethic while GM Nico Harrison insisted that “defense wins championships.”
The only people more upset than Doncic were the Mavericks fans, who have been rioting against the franchise ever since the shocking news broke. They feel betrayed by Nico Harrison and team owner Patrick Dumont, but, unfortunately for them, there’s no going back.
Doncic is a Laker now, and as much as he wanted to be a Maverick for life, he’s ready to move on once and for all. In 28 games with his new team, Doncic has adapted quickly, and he’s built up great chemistry with LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and stand-in center Jaxson Hayes.
With averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game for the Lakers, Luka is in great shape heading into the postseason, and he’s confident that he can lead them to a championship just like he planned to do for the Mavericks.
Only time will tell how far Luka can go this season, but there’s no doubt that he’s out for revenge after experiencing the ultimate betrayal. He was ready to commit his entire NBA future to the Mavericks and thought he’d be raising his family in the city of Dallas.
Everything is different now, and only now has Luka begun to accept his new reality. As he played through this NBA postseason, he’ll be keeping that broken phone as a reminder of his lowest point so he can recognize how far he’s come.
