There has been much fallout in the aftermath of the Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis trade. While both sides are trying their best to move on, the fans aren’t letting it go without a fight. In their first home game back since the trade, the scene was toxic in and around the arena, with fans going to great lengths to express their outrage.
The prop coffin which made a viral appearance earlier this week was seen again being brought to the steps of the arena, this time with a large crowd of protesters shouting “Bring Luka home.”
— lynz (@lynziekate) February 8, 2025
That’s not to mention the impressively large crowd chanting “LUKA” with flags and signs begging the Slovenian superstar to “come home.”
Mavericks fans outside of the American Airlines Center miss Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/oz1KCqzVlk
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) February 8, 2025
Mavericks fans even hired a truck to ask Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson to sell the team.
This car keeps driving around pic.twitter.com/TLXuEwqW4I
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) February 8, 2025
A lot of hate was directed at Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who was the one who ultimately made the call to trade Doncic this week.
Loud “Fire Nico” chants have erupted outside AAC pic.twitter.com/EsPuaO660n
— Nick (@NickkWhite) February 8, 2025
Mavericks fans around the world are still pissed over the team trading away their (now former) franchise star, Luka Doncic. He had grown a special connection to the city and became an icon for the fans. Many Dallas residents feel betrayed by the team and are upset that they gave up on a generational talent so early.
It gets even worse when you realize what the Mavericks got back for Doncic. Instead of getting a historic haul to rebuild their future, the Mavs landed Anthony Davis, who is already on the tail end of his prime. The whole situation makes it look like a huge mistake for the Mavericks and the fans have been very vocal about expressing their frustration. Some have even sent death threats to GM Nico Harrison.
For what it’s worth, Anthony Davis is doing everything he can to make it right. Besides calming the fans in his opening press conference, he dominated in his first minutes with the team, dropping 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in his first 12 minutes as a Maverick.
Davis has a long way to go before he can justify the Doncic trade but he’s embraced the challenge so far despite heavy scrutiny from the fans. He knows more than anyone that the best way to win them over is to win big and dominate whenever he sees the floor.
With averages of 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 52.8% shooting, Davis is ready to help the Mavericks win now but it will take some time for the fans to embrace his arrival. Luka Doncic is a generational talent and now they’ll have to watch him thrive on the Lakers for the next 10 years.
At 27-25 this season, the Mavericks are not among the top six teams in the West but with months still left to play, there’s enough time to make a run and move up into the upper end of the standings. It will take that and more to calm the nerves of the Mavericks fans.
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