After beginning his NBA journey with the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic envisioned finishing his career in the same jersey. He felt a deep connection with the franchise and believed it was the perfect place to build his legacy. However, while Luka was focused on recovery and planning his return from injury, the Mavericks were quietly making plans to part ways with him. The trade that followed came as a painful surprise.
Luka has made no secret of the heartbreak he experienced when he was traded mid-season to the Los Angeles Lakers. During an emotional conversation with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, he shared just how deeply the move affected him. Luka even shared that he was so sad upon learning about the trade to the Lakers that he threw his phone in frustration.
“I was still in shock, like crazy shock, and I was, I mean, I felt like my heart was broken, honestly. I would say top one just because it was so special, you know, with the fans, with teammates, just being there. It was something I’ve never seen in my life and it was just special, you know, the love between me and the fans,” Luka said.
Luka Doncic tells @malika_andrews about throwing his phone and breaking it when he found out he got traded to the Lakers 😳
— ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2025
"My heart was broken honestly." 💔 pic.twitter.com/rfsIGlOaBC
Luka also expressed disappointment over recent comments made by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. Harrison’s remarks didn’t sit well with the former Mavs star.
“It’s just sad, the way he’s talking right now. I never said anything bad about him. And I just want to move on. The fans, my ex-teammates, I’ll always keep at heart. It’s time to move on from there,” Doncic added.
Former NFL Star Calls Out Nico Harrison For Controversial Luka Doncic’s Trade After Mavs’ Friday Loss
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The controversial trade stirred backlash beyond just Luka’s personal response. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III took to social media to criticize Harrison’s decision, going as far as calling it historically bad after the Mavericks were eliminated from the playoff race.
“The Luka Doncic trade couldn’t have gone worse for Nico Harrison. The fans hates him. The media hates him. Kyrie got hurt. They got eliminated in the play in tournament and missed the playoffs. All-Time Worst Trade in NBA History,” he wrote.
Since the trade, Luka revealed that he hasn’t spoken to Harrison. But he’s not looking back. Now, in Los Angeles, he’s only focused on the future and ready to prove himself in the playoffs.
