Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki recently shared his thoughts on the shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, revealing that he learned of the news while on vacation with his family in the Maldives. Nowitzki, who is known for his strong connection with Doncic, expressed his surprise and concern upon hearing about the trade, which he described as a significant shift in the NBA landscape.
While enjoying a family getaway, Nowitzki’s phone began to buzz with notifications just as he was about to have lunch. "When I saw the news, I was actually all across on the other side of the world. I was on vacation with the family in the Maldives… my phone starts blowing up," Nowitzki recounted during an event appearance at 96.7 The Ticket’s Ticketstock.
The two players had a brief overlap during Nowitzki’s final season with the Mavericks, allowing them to build a strong rapport. Following the trade, Nowitzki reached out to Doncic, who was understandably disappointed. "I felt a little disappointed and sad for him. He obviously didn’t see this coming," Nowitzki said, emphasizing the emotional impact the trade had on his former teammate.
In a show of support, Nowitzki attended Doncic’s first game with the Lakers, despite his long-standing loyalty to the Mavericks. "He’s a good kid, so I felt like I had to go out there and support him in this new chapter," he explained. Nowitzki’s presence at the game was a gesture of solidarity, especially since Doncic was reportedly feeling down about the trade.
Nowitzki also reflected on the surreal experience of seeing Doncic play for the Lakers, a team he has never supported. "It was weird. It was surreal to see him play for the Lakers. I’ll never be a Lakers fan, but I must always be a Luka fan," he stated, highlighting the strong bond he shares with Doncic.
The trade, which saw Doncic move to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, has stirred mixed feelings among Mavericks fans, who had hoped Doncic would follow in Nowitzki’s footsteps by remaining in Dallas throughout his career. The Mavericks and Lakers are set to face each other for the first time since the trade on February 25, adding to the anticipation surrounding this new chapter for both teams.
As the NBA season progresses, the impact of this trade will be closely watched, particularly how Doncic adapts to his new role with the Lakers and how it affects the Mavericks’ future.