Luka Dončić thanks Mavericks fans after trade to the Lakers
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We aren't prepared to see Luka in a Lakers jersey. Photo: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić, speaking for the first time since his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was announced, said on Sunday he thought he'd spend his entire career in Dallas.
Why it matters: The trade is one of the most stunning and confusing moves in the league's history. It will drastically change the Mavericks' trajectory and reputation.
What they're saying: "Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level," Dončić wrote in a statement titled "Dear Dallas" on Instagram.
- He added he "wanted so badly to bring you a championship," he wrote.
- The Slovenian native went on to say the love he received as a Mavericks player was more than he dreamt of, and that he is leaving a city that "will always feel like a home away from home."
State of play: The Mavericks traded Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from the Lakers, per ESPN reporter Shams Charania, who broke the story late Saturday.
- The deal involves the Utah Jazz also taking a player from the Lakers and getting two future draft picks.
- The trade came as a surprise to Dončić and players and coaches across both franchises, Charania reported.
- Fans protested outside the American Airlines Center on Sunday, setting up Dončić gear, flowers and signs near Nowitzki's statue. Resale ticket prices for the Mavericks-Lakers game in April in Dallas have more than doubled since the news broke.
The intrigue: The Lakers have apparently had their sights set on Dončić for a while, hoping he is the future of the franchise after LeBron James retires.
- James has been a Dončić fan for years. He described Dončić in 2020 as a "team-first" player who approaches the sport with a "sense of joy."
Reality check: Dončić has been prone to injuries, often missing multiple games in a row. He hadn't played since Dec. 25 because of a calf injury.
How it happened: The Mavericks approached the Lakers about the trade, which was in the works for several weeks, per the Dallas Morning News.
- Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said during a pre-game news conference Sunday that the talks began as a "would you ever?" coffee conversation with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
- The deal was kept a secret, with no coaches or players in the loop.
- "We really believe in it, and time will tell if I'm right," Harrison said.
Zoom in: During the pre-game news conference, Kidd looked down most of the time and said he supports Harrison's deal.
- "When you look at the team and what Nico wants to build, I truly support that and truly believe the players we are getting can achieve that," Kidd said.
- The Mavericks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 144-101, with several players out injured.
Zoom out: Mark Cuban, who sold his majority stake in the Mavs to a Las Vegas casino magnate and is no longer involved in daily basketball operations, confirmed to WFAA that he wasn't involved in Dončić's trade.
What's next: Kyrie Irving could become the face of the Mavericks franchise as Davis adjusts to the team.
- The Mavericks are 26-24. The playoffs begin in April, if they make it.
The bottom line: It's hard to imagine Dallas without Dončić.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new developments.