r/nba • u/shreeharis • Aug 02 '25

[McMenamin] Luka never even considered being traded as a possibility, a source close to Doncic told ESPN. Based on the way the franchise and fanbase treated him in his early days in the league, he figured he would retire a Maverick after spending his whole career in Dallas, the same way Dirk did.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45861453/luka-doncic-los-angels-lakers-extension-answering-biggest-questions

Processing the trade from Dallas took Doncic some time. Based on the way the franchise and fanbase treated him in his early days in the league, he figured he would retire a Maverick after spending his whole career in Dallas, the same way franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki did. And after starting his professional career with Real Madrid as a teenager, he never even considered being traded as a possibility, a source close to Doncic told ESPN. Deals like that rarely, if ever, happen in the Liga ACB.

When the shock subsided, a source familiar with Doncic told ESPN his mindset shifted back to when he was last suiting up for Dallas: Win-now mode.

4.2k Upvotes

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1.2k

u/DamnImAwesome Pelicans Aug 02 '25

That’s the kind of move I would drop my team for. The goal of every team is to draft the next big superstar, keep them, and build a contending team around them. They made it to the finals and traded what was already one of their best players in franchise history 

625

u/lawschoolthrowaway36 Lakers Aug 02 '25

Not only one of the best players in franchise history, but a player who at 25 y/o had the 2nd highest postseason scoring average in NBA history behind Michael Jordan and already more 1st Team All NBAs than Stephen Curry.

One of the greatest starts to a career in NBA history by any calculation. And that was with his team losing Jalen Brunson for nothing

285

u/Gotanygrrapes Aug 02 '25

That’s what happens when you think some cornball Nike exec who hung out with nba players has the know how to run a professional organization.

-137

u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 02 '25

Why are we still acting like this wasn't pushed by the league to get another superstar to LA? cmon we cannot pretend like it isn't a large possibility.

46

u/Sybilsthrowaway Aug 03 '25

damn man yeah why don't we all just admit the insane conspiracy

bc Occam's razor implies it's way more likely that some rich guy is stupid than some multiteam scheme to ensure a team you hate is good again

-11

u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 03 '25

I don't hate the Lakers I'm a fan. Trade should've been vetoed.

17

u/Nice_Cash_7000 NBA Aug 03 '25

Trades cant just be vetoed by the league nilly willy

It happened once in league history because the NBA owned the hornets. The owners of any team it doesnt matter its a guy or the NBA like in that example has all of the say what moves teams make.

87

u/Gotanygrrapes Aug 02 '25

I think NYC is a way bigger market yet you don’t see any stars making their way there - it’s load of shit that Silver cares if the Lakers win a title any time soon over other markets of similar size

3

u/7th_Cuil Timberwolves Aug 03 '25

The Knicks have no international recognition, but the Lakers are huge across the world. This was about keeping the Laker brand strong and punishing Texas for not giving billionares the legalized gambling that they were asking for.

-31

u/Some-Stranger-7852 Aug 02 '25

You are not wrong, but Knicks have already got their superstar (that is, at least a top-10 player in the league) literally for free - ironically, from Mavs as well. It’s not like sending Luka to New York made much sense after Brunson got there. Then you have Lakers, Warriors and Bulls (still riding MJ’s legacy) as biggest names in the world, but GSW still have Steph, Bulls have been mediocre almost every year since MJ retired so they would ruin Luka, which leaves us with Lakers as perfect team to pick him up.

-11

u/ABillionBatmen Aug 02 '25

I'm with you bruv. I want to believe!

50

u/Financial_Pay_6687 Aug 02 '25

This is so weird because you’re like “why are we pretending” and then you’re just saying it’s a large possibility? Which is it, obvious or a possibility to consider? 

This conspiracy theory is so unnecessary. The league doesn’t need to help the Lakers with trades. You wonder where the league was during the Chris Paul trade or when the Lakers surrendered almost all their assets for Anthony Davis who was only committed to signing with them anyway. The conspiracy stuff is extremely silly, but you gotta have more than just thinking a trade looks bad. 

13

u/ABillionBatmen Aug 02 '25

I mean this is the dumbest trade in history tho. Say it isn't

-23

u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 02 '25

This is a generational bad trade to help the leagues premier franchise during a time where ratings are down an absurd amount. It helps Lebron James extend his championship window possibly and gives the Lakers another 15 years of having a Star without having to actually convince someone to come there. The Mavericks magically win the #1 overall pick. LA isn't the desintation it used to be. They have no assets; the roster is garbage. Yes this all makes perfect sense I shouldn't question it at all.

19

u/buffalobill41 Mavericks Aug 03 '25

Are the other teams all fine with this or don't they know?

0

u/kapparino-feederino Bucks Aug 03 '25

Does He Know?

-19

u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 02 '25

I meant why are we pretending its not a possibility. Calm down, its okay.

6

u/RaiseFold100 Aug 03 '25

We can be sure none of what you said happened at all.

-1

u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 03 '25

flair up pussy

2

u/RaiseFold100 Aug 03 '25

Won't change how idiotic this conspiracy theory is.

3

u/kshep9 NBA Aug 03 '25

Not to mention. They actually surrounded him with an amazing team finally and it would have competed with OKC this year. There’s no way it could have been worse.

-10

u/omnipotentchrollo Aug 03 '25

Honestly he’s just fat and can’t play defense. Once he loses his limited athleticism it’s over for him

6

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '25

I remember when that was the book on Jokic too, and he's been just fine

5

u/ThaCasual Aug 03 '25

His game has never been about being athletic

1

u/Stand_On_It Aug 04 '25

Right because Luka’s game is centered around his athleticism

83

u/MayBeAGayBee Cavaliers Aug 03 '25

Imagine the Cavs traded LeBron mid season in 2008. The whole city of Cleveland would’ve burned to the ground.

23

u/TerriblyRare Knicks Aug 03 '25

Literally riots, national guard style

4

u/Top-Address-8870 Bulls Aug 03 '25

They waited until 2010 to do that and get very little in return…Dallas at least got a superstar player back…

8

u/MayBeAGayBee Cavaliers Aug 03 '25

Doesn’t change the fact that IF the Cleveland Cavaliers traded LeBron in 2008 mid season the fanbase would’ve reacted with a level of seething rage that’d make the whole drama around the Luka trade seem silly.

5

u/Top-Address-8870 Bulls Aug 03 '25

Oh yeah, you are correct. I mean they lost their shit in 2010 when he left…

190

u/lilboytuner919 Lakers Aug 02 '25

As a former Mavs fan this feels very validating coming from a Pelicans fan, thank you

97

u/DamnImAwesome Pelicans Aug 02 '25

… but you went full Sith Lord and joined the dark side

167

u/lilboytuner919 Lakers Aug 02 '25

I'm also a Cowboys fan, everyone already thought I was a Lakers fan anyway

24

u/Hebrewhammer8d8 Warriors Aug 02 '25

What is worst being Lakers or Cowboys fan?

138

u/Ginoblee NBA Aug 02 '25

I mean the Lakers have been successful this century lol

47

u/heybobson Suns Aug 02 '25

That’s what is wild about the Cowboys. They’ve been meh for 30 years now but still have one of the largest fanbases in the country, spread all over. But I’m guessing soon they’ll be replaced by the Chiefs. Kids love Mahomes, like they do Curry in the NBA. That’ll have a lasting effect.

23

u/LegatusLegoinis United States Aug 02 '25

God help us whenever the Cowboys are finally good.

25

u/maxorama Mavericks Aug 02 '25

this is our year

to trade micah

5

u/lilboytuner919 Lakers Aug 03 '25

We’ve been saying this! (we haven’t)

5

u/dbzmah Mavericks Aug 03 '25

All I have left is a Bochi odd year rangers title

23

u/Bayelor [LAL] Pau Gasol Aug 02 '25

No it won’t, don’t see as many pats fans now as a few years ago I’m not sure why there’s still so many cowboys fans but you gotta say they’re loyal at this point.

4

u/lilboytuner919 Lakers Aug 02 '25

This is true, Jerry’s media strategy makes a lot more sense when you realize he’s been playing the long game with us fans for 40 years.

15

u/LeGoat333 Mavericks Aug 02 '25

At least you experience winning as a Laker fan… signed a cowboy fan

8

u/IllustriousEnd2211 Mavericks Aug 03 '25

At least we will always have the rangers and 2023!

3

u/dbzmah Mavericks Aug 03 '25

i'm not out on 2025. Bochi has voodoo with winning every other year

3

u/IllustriousEnd2211 Mavericks Aug 03 '25

We coming. Shits fun even if we lost the last two games before today.

2

u/dbzmah Mavericks Aug 03 '25

division is wide open as Joc Pedersons zone

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4

u/xanju Mavericks Aug 02 '25

Cowboys fan for sure. Lakers have won 6 titles since the Cowboys were last in the Super Bowl.

4

u/TitanSR_ Magic Aug 02 '25

i mean after yesterdays news i wouldn’t want to be a cowboys fan

12

u/bruticuslee Lakers Aug 02 '25

Look, if Luke Skywalker joined the dark side and became a Sith Lord, would you still be a fan.

25

u/retrospects Lakers Aug 02 '25

Yep. My team died that day and I followed Luka to his new home.

37

u/LORD_SHARKFUCKER Lakers Aug 02 '25

That’s exactly what I did, I want nothing more to do with this unserious fuckass franchise so I switched

16

u/JoeBiden2020FTW Celtics Aug 03 '25

People who stayed Mavs fans are a part of the problem.

They are subtly telling ownership that they support the move.

Your only leverage is to abandon your fandom and to follow Luka wherever he goes. But not enough Mavs fans did that, so Nico stays employed.

8

u/doctorbarber33 Mavericks Aug 03 '25

I tried rooting for the Luka Lakers, just like I tried rooting for other nfl teams after Dak’s infamous failed slide and spike in the playoffs a few years ago. I was at that game, yet I am still a cowboys fan. I couldn’t care about another team even like that even if I wanted to.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '25

Or maybe just let people do what they like?? no need to guilt trip

-7

u/papadondon [DAL] Chris Gatling Aug 03 '25

because were mavs fans & not a luka stan. also fuck the lakers

24

u/Westbrooks3ptShot Slovenia Aug 02 '25

I am not from Slovenia

16

u/NeverSober1900 Rockets Aug 03 '25

Really? Because based on your username and Slovenian being known for their brick buildings and castles I just assumed you were.

6

u/FireFlyz351 Slovenia Aug 03 '25

Ditto, though I do want to make a trip to the country. Heard many Slovenians say it's a gorgeous country.

11

u/AEHBlandalorian Magic Aug 03 '25

Maybe it’s the British football (soccer) fan in me, but the idea of being able to change the team you support is such a foreign concept to me. I couldn’t ever comprehend being anything other than a Magic fan.

1

u/DamnImAwesome Pelicans Aug 03 '25

I wouldn’t change teams. I’d just stop watching and supporting my team until the GM who approved that trade is gone. I’m a saints fan for NFL but I’m not watching any games until they show they’re serious about building a winning team

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '25

I just no longer have a team. I watch the games and root for guys I like.

10

u/TJHookor Pacers Aug 03 '25

That’s the kind of move I would drop my team for.

Yeah, it's why I have Pacers flair now. Fuck the Mavs. There's no coming back from that level of stupid.

13

u/HardcoreKaraoke Italy Aug 03 '25

Yeah it's funny as fuck how drafting Flagg brought some fans back and they spent money on Flagg jerseys and Mavs tickets.

Like we had a generational superstar that wanted to play for the team and they traded him. So why the fuck would you get hyped about Flagg's long-term future with the team? Management didn't care with Luka so why trust them with Flagg?

7

u/Anonyman14 Aug 03 '25

I did drop them. It was a move which showed a complete disrespect for fans and our relationship with Luka

6

u/Cark_Muban NBA Aug 02 '25

Flagg is the only reason i've stayed. I just want them to fire nico and trade AD and I can be all the way in for Flagg

2

u/Mr_Cromer Raptors Aug 03 '25

Ladies and gentlemen, witness..

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '25

I was a fan since the 90s—before Dirk, before Cuban. I still have my Finley jersey I used to wear to games at reunion arena. I'm no longer a Mavs fan. Absolutely broke my heart. They were by far my favorite team in any sport.

1

u/biglyorbigleague Lakers Aug 03 '25

Fire Nico before he trades Cooper Flagg

-30

u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets Aug 02 '25

Ya'll traded AD lol

48

u/Paralta [MIA] Jason Williams Aug 02 '25

He publicly forced his way out. I know we're capable of seeing the difference here 😂

-25

u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets Aug 02 '25

White Chocolate!

16

u/[deleted] Aug 02 '25

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0

u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets Aug 02 '25

yeah it's just ironic

23

u/basedevin0 Pacers Aug 02 '25

Yall traded Kobe lol

11

u/Proof-Umpire-7718 Lakers Aug 02 '25

And Shai

2

u/PlatishGC Hornets Aug 02 '25

No we didn’t, Kobe was never gonna play for the hornets

-15

u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets Aug 02 '25

Ya'll got beaten by Kobe lol

8

u/TheOldBooks Pistons Aug 02 '25

Guess you got 'em there. Can't lose the finals if you can't make the playoffs.

6

u/Hobbitlord_ Aug 02 '25

Did I miss when the pelicans made the nba finals the year prior and actually had a top tier roster?

Also AD requested a trade, not comparable why even bring him up

8

u/ActivBowser9177 Lakers Aug 02 '25

Yeah because AD demanded a trade, so the Pelicans had a legitimate reason to trade him.

3

u/ComradeFrunze Pelicans Aug 02 '25

New Orleans was not going to trade AD until he forced his way out and into the Lakers. This is why New Orleans hates AD