Luka Dončić thanks Mavericks fans after being traded to the Lakers. See his message and why Dallas made the trade.
Luka Dončić shared a heartfelt message after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
“I thought I would stay here forever, and I really wanted to win a championship for you,” Dončić wrote on social media. “The love and support you gave me was more than I ever dreamed of. As a kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home.”
As part of the trade, the Mavericks got Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.
Dončić Did Not Expect the Trade
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Dončić had no idea that the Mavericks were planning this trade. NBA insider Marc Stein also said that Dončić did not ask to be traded.
Even though it was a surprise, Dončić said he is “grateful” to be joining the Lakers.
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Mavericks Explain the Trade
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said they made the trade because they wanted a stronger defense.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We want to win now and in the future.”
Harrison tried to contact Dončić by text and phone call after the trade, but Dončić did not respond.
“My guess is he doesn’t want to talk to me,” Harrison told The Dallas Morning News.
Dončić’s Time in Dallas
Dončić joined the Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft and quickly became one of the best players in the league. He won Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 and was an All-Star five times in a row.
He helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals and played well in the 2024-25 season, even though he had calf injuries.
In his time with the Mavericks, Dončić averaged:
- 28.6 points per game
- 8.7 rebounds per game
- 8.3 assists per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 47.0% FG / 34.8% 3PT / 74.8% FT
Even though he didn’t play as many games as others, he was already No. 6 on the Mavericks’ all-time scoring list.
Now, he starts a new journey with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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