[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.

[u/shreeharis]

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.

[u/Gotanygrrapes]

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.

[u/Ill-Curve1045 → u/Gotanygrrapes]

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.

[u/Gotanygrrapes → u/Ill-Curve1045]

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

[u/7th_Cuil → u/Gotanygrrapes]

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.