OKLAHOMA CITY — In a surprising turn of events following a significant loss, Lakers star Luka Doncic was brought to reflect on the trade that transitioned him from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles. This trade, orchestrated by former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, has been deemed one of the most one-sided in NBA history. Harrison was recently let go by Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont.
Doncic, who was just coming off a lopsided 121-92 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, expressed his feelings about his time in Dallas and the recent developments surrounding Harrison. “The city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they’ll always have a special place in my heart,” Doncic said. Although he had envisioned a long career with the Mavericks, he is now focused on his role with the Lakers. He stated, “I’m just trying to move on and focus on what I’m doing here.”
When questioned about the possibility of returning to the Mavericks now that Harrison is no longer with the organization, Doncic remained steadfast, emphasizing his current focus on the Lakers.
Harrison’s trade deal, which took place in February, stunned fans and analysts alike. It involved sending Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for prominent players such as Anthony Davis and Max Christie, along with a future first-round pick.
Maxi Kleber, a teammate with the Mavericks, briefly commented on Harrison’s departure, acknowledging the ever-changing dynamics within the league and the necessity for all players and staff to remain prepared for unexpected changes.
Doncic has experienced significant success since joining the Mavericks as a rookie in 2018, becoming a five-time All-Star and even earning the title of scoring champion by age 25. However, his recent performance with the Lakers was subpar, marked by a season-low of 19 points against the Thunder, where he struggled with his shooting.
He reflected on the loss, stating, “Definitely wasn’t our best game…They’re champions for a reason, and they showed that today. I need to be way better than that.”
Despite the Lakers currently holding a decent 8-4 record and sitting fifth in the Western Conference, Doncic acknowledged the gap in performance when compared to the Thunder, who boast a league-best 12-1 start. He views this disparity as a source of motivation moving forward, stating, “It’s a big motivation to see how they play and try to stop them.”
As the Lakers continue their road trip, Doncic’s determination and eyes on improvement could signal a promising shift for the team moving forward, fostering hope among fans for a turnaround in performance as the season progresses.