The Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world on Saturday night by trading All-Star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Most NBA fans assumed Doncic would play for the Mavericks his entire career. And yet, the front office in Dallas felt comfortable parting ways with him. According to ESPN, the Mavericks initiated the Lakers about this trade. They were reportedly concerned about the star guard’s conditioning and commitment to the organization.
Following Tuesday night’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, veteran guard Kyrie Irving spoke to the media about the Mavericks’ questionable trade.
Irving and Doncic formed a dynamic duo on the hardwood. That was apparent when Dallas reached the NBA Finals last season.
With that said, Irving is understandably upset about the Mavericks trading away Doncic.
“Just really shocked and you just don’t imagine you’re going to get ready to go to sleep and then you find out news like that,” Irving told reporters. “It’s still a grieving process right now. I miss my hermano. We had a lot of time together. … We build bonds that went beyond the basketball court.”
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison claims he traded Doncic to put the franchise in a better position to win now. We’re not so sure we’re buying that.
“I understand why they [the fans] would be shocked, initially,” Harrison told the Dallas Morning News. “But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.”
Doncic’s absence won’t affect Irving too much on the court. He dropped 34 points on Philadelphia tonight.
That being said, it’s a shame fans won’t get to see Doncic and Irving work their magic together in the postseason again.
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