NBA superstars Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry are the latest big names to react to the stunning Luka Doncic trade. All three men were widely regarded as untouchable in trade talks, and after the Denver Nuggets‘ 125-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Jokic stated in his press conference that this deal suggests no one is safe.
“I texted him,” Jokic said. “He felt it, of course. I think he didn’t expect it, of course. I think he just needs to be with family right now, it’s a big move. It’s a business, I don’t know. I think nobody expected it, especially not him. I think nobody is safe in the league (it) seems like.
“But I think he’s going to do a good job,” Jokic added. “I think he’s the player for a big scene, even though I thought in Dallas he had something special going.”
Nikola Jokic says he texted with Luka Doncic after the trade to the Lakers:
"I think nobody is safe in the league." pic.twitter.com/vmzyWs8QYA
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 4, 2025
Well, Doncic certainly had something special going with the Dallas Mavericks. The five-time All-Star had led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals and they were looking like one of the best teams in the West before he went down with a calf injury in December.
Doncic was looking forward to coming back and helping the team climb up the standings but got the shock of his life on Saturday night. The Mavericks traded the 25-year-old to the Los Angeles Lakers, and he did not see that coming.
What would have been even more shocking to Doncic was that the Mavericks were the ones who initiated the trade. He had no intention of leaving but they wanted to ship him out, and that would have been inconceivable even a week ago.
You’d have been laughed off at any point in the last six-odd years if you’d stated the Mavericks were going to trade Doncic of their own volition. He is a generational talent and the expectation was that the team would hold on to him as long as they could.
It turned out not to be the case, though, and if Doncic isn’t safe, who is? You could say the Nuggets will never trade Jokic, but, at this point, nothing can be completely ruled out.
As for Curry, some have suggested that he should leave the Golden State Warriors, but neither he nor the team have shown any interest in parting ways. They want to stay together, but the two-time MVP stated in his press conference after a 104-99 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday that this was a reminder that only a few players are safe.
“Just because of how kinda out-of-blue it was without any type of hint or rumor and any kinda sign especially them coming off the Finals,” Curry said. “It’s a reminder that there are only a few in this league that can go to sleep with any type of confidence.
It’s kind of a very unique situation across the world,” Curry continued. “But I think just the idea that it happened in silence was pretty crazy. The fact that you hear a trade and everybody thinks somebody’s been hacked is hilarious.”
Steph Curry on the Luka Dončić trade: “It’s a reminder that there are only a few in this league that can go to sleep with any type of confidence.” pic.twitter.com/JDwswnwRq8
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 4, 2025
Everyone was certain that NBA insider Shams Charania had been hacked when he posted on social media that Doncic had been traded. There was no way it could have been true, but it was. This is the most shocking trade in NBA history and it’s doubtful that anything is going to happen in the future to dislodge it from the top spot.
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