Luka Doncic is disappointed over the trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian gives emotional insights into its emotional world and reveals an outbreak of anger.
Luka Doncic has not spoken to Nico Harrison, President of the Basketball operations and General Manager of Dallas Mavericks, since moving to Los Angeles Lakers.
As the Slovenian explained, he heard Harrison’s justifications for the trade, but was severely disappointed after spending the first six and a half years of his career in Dallas.
“It’s just sad as he talks now,” Doncic explained in an interview with ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, which was broadcast on Friday. “I never said anything bad about him and just want to keep going. I will always keep my fans and my former teammates in my heart. It’s time for me to move on.”
Luka Doncic destroyed his cell phone out of anger over the Mavs farewell
Doncic destroyed cell phone from anger over trade
During the interview, Doncic Andrews showed his cell phone, which was still damaged after he had thrown it across the room when he learned from the trade.
“I was actually in bed,” Doncic reported from the moment when he heard the news about his trade. “My television didn’t work, so I was on the iPad and watched a film before I wanted to go to sleep. The first thing I said was probably three times: ‘Is that an April joke?’
His initial feelings? “Mainly sadness,” said Doncic: “I was still shocked. Really shocked. I felt as if my heart was broken, frankly.”
Trade decision and criticism of Doncic
At the beginning of the week, Harrison and the new Mavericks CEO Rick Welts invited a selected group of reporters from Dallas to a one-hour media round to discuss the trade, who sent Doncic to Los Angeles as part of a three-team deal. In return, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future reefround pick. Harrison emphasized that he had “no remorse” regarding the deal and repeated several times that the motivation for the trade was that “defense championships wins” – an indication that Doncic has problems on this side of the court.
Shortly after the trade, ESPN reporter Tim Macmahon reported that the Mavericks were “constantly concerned about Doncic’s condition”, and that his “lack of discipline regarding his diet” contributed to his injury problems.
At ESPN , Doncic explained that he was aware of the criticism, but he concentrated on his future. “It is painful, depending on how to pick it up,” said the superstar: “It mainly came from Dallas, so I didn’t want to react to it. But I don’t really read much about it. I just try to concentrate on my trip.”
New beginning at the Lakers
More than two months after moving to the Lakers, Doncic admits that he “got used to it”. When asked whether he wanted to spend his entire career with the Mavericks, Doncic answered ESPN : “Of course. That is a simple question.”
But now that he is in LA and the Lakers are on Sunday shortly before their first round duel against the Minnesota Timberwolves (02:30 a.m. German time), his focus is on it.
Doncic, the next season, is entitled to $ 46 million and who has a player option over $ 48.9 million for 2026-27 will be entitled to sign a long-term contract with the Lakers this summer.
From August 2, La Doncic can offer a contract for up to four years and $ 229 million, according to NBA Frontoffice insider Bobby Marks. When asked by ESPN whether he would like to stay in LA, Doncic replied briefly and directly: “Yes.”