Naji Marshall on Luka Doncic trade: “I was hurt, man”

The Dallas Mavericks stunned the basketball world this season with a blockbuster trade that sent franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Few were more emotionally affected by the move than Naji Marshall, who opened up about the shock and disappointment he felt during a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast.

“I mean, I understood that, like, business is business as far as the NBA, but I was hurt, man,” he said, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and sadness. “Luka’s my dawg, for real.”

Marshall, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Dallas last summer, played just 17 games alongside Doncic, but their connection was instant. He credits Doncic not just for his elite on-court abilities but for the bond they quickly developed.

“Luka is just the chillest guy ever, bro,” Marshall said. “You just feel like his best friend from day one. He’s just a great dude. Never mad, just always happy. And just a Hall of Fame flamethrower when it comes to basketball.”

Despite the emotional loss, Marshall showed appreciation for his new teammate, Lakers star Anthony Davis. “I love (Anthony Davis). That’s my guy right there. Like, he’s been great with us. You know, he welcomed us with open arms.”

Still, the sting of losing Doncic hasn’t fully faded for Marshall: “As far as just personally, like, I just was hurt to lose Luka, man.”