Luka Doncic’s father, Sasa Doncic, did not hold back when addressing the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade his son to the Los Angeles Lakers. In a candid statement, he criticized the organization, expressing disappointment over how the situation unfolded.
“With this trade, hypocrisy (from the Mavs organization) hurts me personally,” Sasa Doncic said. “I think Luka absolutely did not deserve this. I know he sacrificed a lot. I know Luka really respected Dallas. He respected the whole city, he helped children, and it was not a problem for him to go to hospitals and charity events. He played 100 games last season for like 40 minutes per game, constantly being doubled… I feel it’s really unfair from certain people from Dallas.”
Despite his frustration, Doncic’s father remained optimistic about his son’s future in Los Angeles. “Luka lost nothing with this trade… It’s not easy for Luka, moving is never easy, everything is going fast. Time will tell, but I’m sure this will be good for him,” he added.
Sasa also provided an update on his son’s health, stating that Luka’s injury is nearly healed. “Luka’s injury is basically gone. He’s already training, everything is going as planned and everything is fine.”
“Luka will continue to do what he does best. He will make his teammates even better than they are. This will be even bigger motivation for him, especially when it comes to condition, physical preparation,” Sasa Doncic added.
The trade, which sent shockwaves through the league, saw the Lakers acquire Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. In return, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz facilitated the deal, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round selections.
Dallas initiated the trade talks, presenting the offer to Los Angeles. After internal deliberations, the Lakers accepted, viewing the 25-year-old Doncic as their long-term franchise cornerstone. The Mavericks, in turn, landed a dominant frontcourt presence in Davis to pair alongside Kyrie Irving.
Doncic, sidelined with a calf injury, is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this season. The Lakers are banking on his elite playmaking to carry the team into the future.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, who turns 40 later this year, is still putting up strong numbers, averaging 24 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. His partnership with Doncic will be one of the most closely watched developments in the league.
Davis, now in Dallas, has been averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. The Mavericks believe his presence will elevate their defensive capabilities and solidify their playoff positioning.
With the Lakers at 28-19 and sitting fifth in the Western Conference, and the Mavericks at 26-24 and in ninth place, both teams are undergoing significant adjustments. The trade could alter the playoff picture, with both rosters looking to maximize their new pieces.
The Lakers must now ensure Doncic thrives in his new environment while managing his long-term health. His chemistry with James will be key in determining Los Angeles’ championship aspirations.
For the Mavericks, Davis’ addition signals a win-now approach as they seek to make a deep postseason run. The Jazz, meanwhile, continue their asset-building strategy by adding young talent and draft picks.
As the dust settles, the focus shifts to how Doncic and Davis will adjust to their new teams. The NBA world will be watching closely to see the impact of this blockbuster deal.
