It’s been months since the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, but Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki still vividly remembers the day it went down. In a recent chat with NBA Hall of Famer and 2x MVP, Steve Nash, Dirk opened up about the deal and recalled the shockwaves it sent throughout the league.
“I agree. Nobody saw this coming,” said Dirk, via RCD Mallorca. “This was not just basketball news; this was world news. I was actually traveling somewhere, and this was all over TV, and I was surprised at how big the news was. It was a tough decision the club had to make.”
Doncic was traded in a blockbuster deal in February in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. It’s rare for a player of Luka’s caliber to be traded without asking, and it’s left Nowitzki feeling conflicted about his support for both Doncic and the franchise he played on for 21 years.
“In the NBA, there’s always stuff that surprises everybody, and it’s what keeps it interesting,” Dirk added. “Of course I wanna support Luka, but I’m also a Maverick for life. This was a tough decision for me, but I obviously want to keep supporting both.”
Despite accusations of being overweight, out of shape, and uncommitted to the craft, Doncic was still lighting up the stat sheet in his final 22 games for the Mavericks. Leading up to the trade that season, he was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on 46.4% shooting.
Luka was only 25 years old at the time, not even in his prime. Still, the Mavs initiated negotiations to trade their franchise star, and not even Dirk saw it coming. As a fellow Dallas legend himself (2011 NBA champion), he developed a close relationship with Luka and even became his mentor of sorts as Doncic was building a legacy in his city.
The nature of their bond became clear when Dirk showed up to Luka’s debut in Los Angeles as reports circulated of his displeasure toward the Mavericks. He was “turned off” by the whole ordeal, and it’s fair to say that his relationship with the franchise will never be the same.
By all accounts, Luka Doncic was supposed to be the heir to Dirk’s legacy, but he never really got a chance to finish what he started. While Nowitzki continues to support the Mavericks, he clearly doesn’t agree with the bold move made by GM Nico Harrison. Judging by the fans’ reaction after the trade, they feel the same way.
Ultimately, Doncic and the Mavs have moved on from the past, but there is undeniable pressure lingering for both sides. In Dallas, the new-look Mavericks will be working to validate the trade and prove that they don’t need the Slovenian superstar to win the title. For Luka, he’ll be trying to disprove the rumors questioning his work ethic, and the work has already begun.
Thanks to added motivation, a new diet regimen, and a consistent summer workout routine, Doncic is looking slimmer than ever, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by his EuroBasket teammates. If he can maintain this figure year-round and lead the Lakers to a deep playoff run, it will be everything he needs to make his old team look foolish for letting him go. Regardless of the outcome, Dirk Nowitzki is going to support both sides even if he doesn’t agree with how it all went down.
