In a heartfelt and revealing interview with Ekipa 24, former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson voiced his dismay over the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, a move that he calls “a universal disappointment.”
“During my years in Dallas, we always considered what was important to that community. And we looked at the players being a part of that. It was never like we went to one of our ATMs, took out a player, used him until he was most useful, and then threw him away.”
“Those things were sacred to us. Of course, this is the NBA and trades can happen, players come and go. But with all due respect, you have to understand that some players are different, special, and even more important to the environment and the community. It’s important to treat those players with respect.”
“That’s why there was so much disappointment after what happened to Luka. Not just my disappointment, but a universal disappointment. Could this happen to Real? Never. And it wouldn’t have happened when I was in Dallas.”
“We were with Dirk Nowitzki for 21 years, and the last three years were out of pure respect. People like that deserve to say goodbye on their own terms and according to their wishes, and everyone deserves a decent funeral – figurative or literal.”
Nelson, who spent decades with the Mavericks and was instrumental in bringing both Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic to Dallas, did not mince words when reflecting on how the franchise handled its most iconic players. Comparing Doncic’s abrupt exit to Nowitzki’s dignified farewell, Nelson drew a stark contrast in the team’s treatment of its stars.
Doncic, who became the face of the franchise and one of the NBA’s brightest stars, was traded to the Lakers in February 2025, shocking fans, players, and executives alike. While trades are a part of NBA business, Nelson believes the situation demanded more care and loyalty.
Though he didn’t name names or assign direct blame, Nelson’s message was unmistakable. The culture he helped build, one rooted in relationships, community, and respect, has eroded in recent years. And the Doncic trade was, in his eyes, a glaring violation of those values.
Nelson also referenced the negative media narratives that followed Doncic’s departure, reportedly leaked by Mavericks insiders.
“Exactly. I think that’s the best description. I don’t want to go into what anyone did, why they did it, and who would have done anything differently. But the reasons why this was such a huge shock in America and around the world are clear.”
“Could it happen to Nowitzki? You know the answer. It’s about respect, the highest level of respect. Luka deserves that kind of respect, and it’s just not right that he didn’t get it.”
He declined to comment on the motivations behind the trade but emphasized that the aftermath spoke volumes.
Doncic, at just 26, was traded in his prime without a chance to lead the franchise through a proper goodbye, a stark contrast to the send-off Dirk received. According to Nelson, such a situation would have never happened during his tenure, nor would it have occurred at Doncic’s former club, Real Madrid.
Now serving as a senior advisor with the Slovenian national team, Nelson remains proud of his connection to Doncic. As the Slovenian star turns the page with the Lakers and gears up for EuroBasket 2025, Nelson knows the bond between great players and their cities should not be broken easily.
