The Dallas Mavericks pulled the plug on the Luka Doncic era in Dallas a decade too soon, trading the 25-year-old to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. It’s a trade that still hasn’t sunk in for many, including the players in the Mavericks locker room.
With them having to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers, many of the players’ thoughts became public before and after the game.
Klay Thompson, who joined the team in the summer because of Luka wished his former teammate well.
“I wish Luka the best. It was a joy to play with him in those 22 games we were together, but we’re obviously going to welcome AD with open arms…It’s the nature of the business, obviously, you have to be professional with all things in front of you. I look forward to keeping the goal the same…”
Kyrie Irving was absent from the Cavaliers game due to injury, but Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd revealed how Irving felt about the deal.
“I think he’s shocked, but understand he’s been in this league and has seen different things, so understanding we have to push forward. He probably saw things differently and I’m speaking from my point of view. At some point, you guys will ask him the questions and I know he’ll give you guys the answers that you’re looking for.”
PJ Washington, who has emerged as a core member of the Mavericks after joining them at last year’s trade deadline, commented on Doncic’s trade with mixed emotions.
“It surprised me, for sure. I was shocked. I just wish him the best. Obviously, he’s one of our brothers and we went through the battles and fires with him. In this business, it’s part of it. Definitely sucks to see him leave, but excited for him and also excited to get a guy like Anthony Davis and Max Christie.”
Naji Marshall, who joined the franchise in the summer as a free agent, revealed that Doncic thanked his teammates on their group chat after getting traded. Marshall still can’t believe this trade is real.
“I haven’t talked to him yet. He kinda texted the group chat and said, ‘Thanks for everything.’ I wanna give him space, the opportunity to get settled in. He’s probably got a lot going on, a lot of people hitting him up. So I’ll just give him a little space. It kinda doesn’t feel real, to be honest.”
Multiple Mavericks have already expressed their support for Luka by commenting on his Instagram post where he shared his farewell letter for the Mavericks fanbase.
The Mavericks broadcast addressed the Doncic situation and how the locker room as a whole is reacting to it before their one-sided 101-144 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Stunned is a good word. I think it’s safe to say there’s still a lot of shock in the locker room. One of the players even told me, it doesn’t feel real. PJ Washington said that we love Luka. When you’ve gone to battle with someone, he’s your teammate and your brother. We wish him the best. But they understand it’s also a business. They had a team meeting to discuss everything. Naji Marshall said everything was business as usual. He said, ‘We love Luka, but we’re all professionals.’ They’re looking forward to getting Anthony Davis and Max Christie and start winning games.”
The Mavericks roster will now adjust to welcoming Anthony Davis and Max Christie into their locker room. It completely changes the identity of the team, as they’re going from a heliocentric Doncic-led offense to a more team-friendly style looking to maximize all the pieces for bucket while prioritizing defensive success.
The Mavericks might have slightly altered their chances of winning a title this season, outmatching the West-leading OKC Thunder thrice without Luka this season already. They’re even better prepared for that matchup now, although they lack a playmaking point guard with Kyrie, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jaden Hardy all scorers.
These players shouldn’t get too comfortable, because if Doncic could be traded, any single one of them could be moved between now and February 6 to help the franchise focus on their win-now goals.
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