Luka Doncic has expressed sadness and surprise following the blockbuster trade that stunned the sports world.
The Slovenian superstar is one of the NBA's premier players and, at 25, was expected to be the face of the Dallas Mavericks for the next decade.
After all, his offensive brilliance had already dragged them to last year's NBA Finals, against the odds, and often playing hurt.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Getty
But Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and his Los Angeles Lakers opposite Rob Pelinka had quietly been working in the shadows on a momentous deal that was consummated on Sunday (AEDT).
Doncic is now a teammate of his idol LeBron James while Dallas has acquired fellow all star Anthony Davis, 31, and a future first round draft pick in return.
The Lakers are widely viewed as the overwhelming winners of the deal.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Getty
"I thought I'd spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship," Doncic said in a social media message to Dallas fans on Monday (AEDT).
"Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most… I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from a home… thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Mavericks fans protested outside the team's arena after the news broke and Luka's father, Sasa Doncic, hit out on Slovenian TV.
"Luka absolutely did not deserve this. He sacrificed a lot. He really respected Dallas. Luka respected the whole city," Sasa said.
The trade talks, which took place over about a month, were kept extremely tight lipped.
"Sports are about transformative moments," Pelinka said.
"We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness…
"Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come. His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team."
Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas, when he exited a game with a strained left calf.
view gallery
High profile athlete transfers that rocked their sport
The trade may come at a serious price for Doncic, who now can't sign a five year supermax contract extension this year that could have been worth around $560 million.
It was never clear if the Mavericks would have offered such a massive deal.
Doncic also would have had an option to leave as a free agent after the 2025-26 season, and it's certain that other teams with hopes of landing him would have planned for such scenarios.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Getty
"There's other teams that were loading up," Harrison said.
"He was going to be able to make his own decision at some point of whether he wants to be here or not, whether we want to supermax him or not, or whether he wants to opt out. We had to take all that into consideration and I feel like we got out in front of what could have been a tumultuous summer."
Doncic is still eligible for an extension this year, with the max that the Lakers could offer him being five years at about $375 million – far less than what the supermax could have been.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Getty
The deal pairs Doncic with James as the new 1-2 punch in LA, while Davis will form a new star duo with Kyrie Irving in Dallas.
And it reunites Doncic with his former teammate, Lakers coach JJ Redick.
Doncic was one of the Mavericks players on the floor when Redick came out of a game for the final time in 2021.
Luka Doncic of the Mavericks handles the ball against Anthony Davis of the Lakers. Getty
For the Mavericks, the decision largely came down to what Davis does on the defensive end of the floor.
"We think defence wins championships and we're bringing in one of the best two way players in the league," Harrison said.
He added that Davis' ability to be elite at both ends makes him "a unique unicorn" in the NBA.
Anthony Davis of the Lakers speaks to the media. Getty
"We feel like we're built to win now as well as in the future," Harrison said.
The Phoenix Suns were playing the Portland Trail Blazers when news of the trade broke.
Phoenix guard Devin Booker said someone in the stands told him and his teammates of the trade.
"They said Luka. I said Luka Garza?" Booker said, referencing a little known Minnesota Timberwolves centre.
Booker wasn't trying to be funny.
He just thought what many probably thought – that there was no way the Mavericks would ever move Doncic.
Dante Exum of Australia drives to the basket past Devin Booker of the United States. Getty
"It's crazy, man. I really don't know what to say about it," Booker said.
"Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again. Can't predict. It's a business. They're always having a conversation about you. So don't think you're safer than you are."
Added fellow Suns star Kevin Durant: "Insane. It's crazy. Crazy. Damn, would of never thought Luka Doncic would get traded. At his age, midseason, the NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded then anybody is up for grabs."
Kevin Durant celebrates a three point shot. Getty
It's not clear when Doncic or Davis could play for their new clubs as there is no firm timetable for their returns from injury.
Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic's 28.6 point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain – both at 30.1.
He was third in the MVP voting last season after averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game, easily one of the greatest seasons in league history.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Getty
Doncic had a 73 point game against Atlanta last year, tying the fourth highest scoring total ever in an NBA game.
Only Chamberlain (100), Kobe Bryant (81) and Chamberlain (78) scored more.
Davis, an all star pick this year for the 10th time in his career, turns 32 next month.
He's part of the NBA's 75th anniversary team, helped the Lakers win the NBA title in the bubble in 2020, and – like Doncic – is a five time All-NBA selection.
Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season.
Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.
Harrison understands the risk and the anger among some in the Mavericks fan base.
He has traded away a young superstar, someone who easily could be one of the game's best players for the next decade, for a player in his 30s with a challenging injury history.
"I understand the magnitude of it. The easiest thing for me to do is do nothing and everyone would praise me for doing nothing. But we really believe in it and time will tell if I'm right," Harrison said.
MORE REACTIONS TO THE TRADE
"Thanks for everything." – Doncic, in the Mavericks' player group chat, according to The Dallas Morning News.
___
"I was surprised. I'll say that. I was surprised. But it's the league — and that's what I think makes the league so amazing. You don't know what's going to happen. And each organization has their own plan, but each organisation is chasing the same thing. So, you got 30 teams going at it in different ways, and that's what makes it so fun." – Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff.
___
"We will be relentless in building a roster around the on court vision Coach (JJ) Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what's next." – Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
___
"Defence wins championships. AD is the one that we truly believe fits… When you look at going forward, we're looking at the window to win now." – Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
___
"It's obviously two great players that have had incredible success with teams, and they've had incredible individual career success as well. You know, obviously, Anthony Davis has been in the league a lot longer, but certainly Luka's impact early in his career has been pretty profound." – Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
___
"We definitely understand the magnitude of what just transpired. It's not lost on us. We would like to thank Luka for his brilliance." – Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
___
"I just love seeing great players. I love seeing great players play together. I mean for the fan it's fascinating. It's interesting, positive thing for the league. And then you could say, how about AD and Kyrie together? It's what makes it a great league that great players can team up." – Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, asked on what it'll be like to see Doncic and LeBron James together.
___
"Unprecedented, right? That those kind of players are moving – you know, surprising, for sure, but I think there's been a lot of stars moving in the recent years that we've all been surprised by and all that kind of stuff. My initial thought always is I've got enough to worry about with my own team." – Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse.
___
"The Mavs obviously had to make a decision this summer whether to give him five years, (US) $350 million. That's a lot of money to give a guy you don't think can stay in shape and is always going to be hurt… He's a great player. But they must know something we don't know." – NBA analyst Charles Barkley, on NBA TV.
___
"Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it. This just doesn't happen on a random Saturday night." – Cleveland centre Tristan Thompson, on X.
___
"Wait what?" – Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who sits courtside at Mavericks games from time to time, on X.
