Devin Booker was asked to comment on Luka Doncic‘s absence from the Dallas Mavericks since his massive trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Booker noted that Doncic’s absence is definitely felt on the team. In fact, when flying into Dallas, Luka’s absence is so strong that the players can feel it as soon as they land at the airport. Those are some strong words from one of Luka’s former rivals.
“You can feel it when we land. The vibes are low right now, but hopefully they can look back and once everybody gets healthy, on top of next season, still root on their team and root on their city.”
Devin Booker and Luka Doncic had a heated rivalry with each other at one point. The two stars went back and forth in the 2022 NBA playoffs. The second-round series between the Suns and the Mavericks saw both teams exchange big wins, and both players put on some incredible performances. But things got heated with the two stars as they love to talk trash.
It all culminated in Game 7, when Luka Doncic put on one of the best performances while facing an elimination to humiliate the Phoenix Suns. At one point, the Mavericks led the Suns by 50 points heading into half-time. Since then, many believe that there is a gulf in quality between Doncic and Booker as players.
It is good to see Booker acknowledge the impact that Doncic had on the Mavericks, despite the heated rivalry between the two. And given the former All-Star’s reaction when the trade news first broke, when he thought that the trade was initially for Luka Garza, tells you exactly how he sees the player as a superstar in the NBA.
Doncic leaving the Mavericks is still one of the most seismic moves in NBA history. Nobody, not even Luka himself, saw the move coming. As such, you can understand why other players feel a different energy in the air in Dallas with Doncic no longer around.
Mavericks Season Falls Apart After Doncic Trade
After the Luka Doncic trade, the Dallas Mavericks have a 6-10 record, which is far from ideal. They have also undergone a full-blown injury crisis, losing Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and, most crucially, Kyrie Irving for long stretches. Irving’s torn ACL has ruled him out for the season and a good chunk of the next one.
Many questions have been asked about how the Mavericks overused Kyrie after the Doncic trade. Jason Kidd was furious at the speculation. Even Irving came out to shut down any talk of being overworked. But the biggest questions are being asked of GM Nico Harrison, with the biggest being: Why did you trade Luka Doncic?
Harrison has given, through sources in the media, several reasons for the trade. None of those reasons have convinced Mavericks fans of the trade. Many have tried calling for him to lose his job. But Nico is not at risk of losing his job this season. However, this is the NBA, and things could change at any moment.
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