Don Nelson didn’t hold back when asked about the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic.
The Hall of Fame coach accepted the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday and made a pointed statement — both in words and attire. Nelson wore a pair of Luka-branded sneakers during the ceremony “in protest of the trade.”
“They made a tremendous mistake,” Nelson said. “My philosophy was to always honor the great players — not trade them away.”
Doncic was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster February 2 deal that shocked the league. The Mavericks dealt their five-time All-Star along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
The trade, which marked the first time two active All-NBA players had been exchanged midseason, triggered immediate backlash. General manager Nico Harrison defended the decision by emphasizing defense: “I believe that defense wins championships.”
Doncic, who had been recovering from a calf injury at the time, was not informed of the trade until it had already been finalized.
Despite a first-round playoff exit, Doncic averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the series against Minnesota.
The Mavericks, who ended the season at 39–43 and 10th in the Western Conference, have faced scrutiny from both fans and former franchise figures.
Nelson, who coached Dallas from 1997 to 2005 and helped turn the team into a perennial playoff contender, made it clear he didn’t agree with the front office’s decision.
