Dirk Nowitzki, the legendary former Dallas Mavericks star, recently shared his thoughts on the shocking trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Speaking candidly, Nowitzki admitted he was “disappointed and sad” for his close friend but made it clear that his loyalty to Luka would remain unchanged.
The trade, which occurred on February 2, stunned the basketball world. Dončić, along with teammates Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, was sent to the Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal also included a trade with the Utah Jazz, who acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick.
Nowitzki, who was abroad with his family when the news broke, explained that he was as “shocked and surprised as everybody was.” He revealed that Luka, who had been sidelined with a calf injury, invited him to attend his Lakers debut after the trade. Despite the move to a rival team, Nowitzki emphasized his unwavering support for Dončić.
“I’ll never be a Laker fan, but I’ll always be a Luka fan,” Nowitzki said. His sentiment reflects the deep bond between the two stars, who shared their basketball journeys in Dallas before Dončić’s unexpected departure.
Dončić’s trade marked a significant turning point in his career, as it was the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded midseason. The Mavericks faced heavy criticism for trading away their franchise cornerstone, but general manager Nico Harrison defended the decision, stating, “I believe that defense wins championships.”
The trade took Dončić by surprise, as he was not informed beforehand. The young star had even purchased a $15 million house in Dallas just a week before the trade. However, despite the shock and disappointment, Dončić quickly suited up for the Lakers, making his debut on February 10 against the Utah Jazz. The Slovenian sensation scored 14 points in just 24 minutes, helping the Lakers secure a 132-113 victory.
Though the Lakers were defeated in their next two games—losing to the Jazz and the Hornets—Dončić continued to show promise in his new role. On February 19, he scored 14 points, though the Lakers fell short against the Hornets, 100-97. Despite these early losses, Dončić’s presence in Los Angeles has given the Lakers a much-needed boost.
Before the trade, Dončić had been averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game for the Mavericks. His move to the Lakers adds another dynamic layer to the team, who currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 33-21 record.
