The Luka Doncic blockbuster trade was so shocking in its callousness that it sent ripples leaguewide, making even the headiest of superstars contemplate their own place in the league.
Pain.
If you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, you’re probably drowning in it. An entire generation of Mavericks fans worldwide will feel the effects of Sunday’s actions after GM Nico Harrison, in a fit of lunacy, traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers of their own volition. As we all cycle through various stages of grief, we are all probably looking for some validation that what we’ve all witnessed is as bizarre as we think it is.
It should come as some measure of comfort that we’re not alone in this Mavericks fans. While we try to process the loss of a beloved son of the franchise, the NBA fraternity itself grapples with its place in the food chain. For if someone as young and accomplished as Luka Doncic can be moved away for a bag of peanuts and some gratitude, what does it mean for the rest of them?
We’ve seen many of the players speak about the “Business of Basketball” and how cold and ruthless it is. Does the furore surrounding Harrison Barnes getting traded mid-game to the Sacramento Kings spring to mind? Players have always been cognizant of this side of the league, but, there was an unspoken understanding that the accomplished ones – the elite would always define their own fate.
As with any major event in the age of social media, news and reactions proliferate like wildfire among the players and considering how monumental and shocking this move was, it makes sense to see what everyone around the league is saying:
It started off innocuously enough with CJ McCollum weighing in:
Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days . If the Don got traded only lord knows
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 2, 2025
The Portland Trailblazers and the Phoenix Suns were in the middle of a game and some of their reactions encapsulate exactly how insane this entire thing is:
When the Blazers found out about the trade mid-game.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 2, 2025
MATISSE THYBULLE IS ALL OF US pic.twitter.com/MpW9SkMWEJ
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) February 2, 2025
The Suns’ superstar duo of Devin Booker & Kevin Durant had measured responses about the business of Basketball and the inherent double standard in these transactions:
“It’s crazy man. I really don’t know what to say about it. Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again.”
Devin Booker on colossal Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
“It’s a business. They’re always having a conversation… pic.twitter.com/p2DdVR7u3N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
“Insane. It’s crazy, crazy.”
Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
“Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don’t get held to that same standard from the outside.”
On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
Giannis’ reaction to it started off serious and then ended on a moderately humorous note:
After tonight’s game, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked for his thoughts on Luka Dončić getting traded by the Dallas Mavericks.
Turns out Antetokounmpo had quite a few thoughts on the matter: pic.twitter.com/nNWNpg1LfJ
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 3, 2025
A day later, Nuggets superstar and Luka’s close friend Nikola Jokic had his say on the matter:
Nikola Jokic says he texted with Luka Doncic after the trade to the Lakers:
“I think nobody is safe in the league.” pic.twitter.com/vmzyWs8QYA
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 4, 2025
His teammate, Michael Porter Jr. echoed what we’re all thinking at this point:
Michael Porter Jr. on the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers:
“I still feel like there’s some facts that are going to come out over time, because I can’t really comprehend how that really makes sensee to be honest.”
“It does seem a little strange.” pic.twitter.com/jHy84x1adF
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 4, 2025
Stephen Curry was contemplative on the notion of star players controlling their own destiny:
Steph Curry on the Luka Dončić trade: “It’s a reminder that there are only a few in this league that can go to sleep with any type of confidence.” pic.twitter.com/JDwswnwRq8
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 4, 2025
Anthony Edwards’ reaction was very on-brand – humorous and serious at the same time:
Anthony Edwards on the Luka Doncic trade pic.twitter.com/fNlaVxhN67
— SneakerReporter (@SneakerReporter) February 4, 2025
What must it be like for Luka’s own (former) teammates who shared their thoughts after the 43pt thrashing at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers:
Naji Marshall just told me he hasn’t spoken directly to Luka Doncic yet, but he said the former Mavs superstar texted the team’s group chat & said: “Thanks for everything.”
Marshall: “I was surprised like everyone else. Very good dude. Good teammate. I look forward to playing…
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 2, 2025
Klay Thompson on the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers:
“I wish Luka the best. It was a joy to play with him in those 22 games we were together, but we’re obviously going to welcome AD with open arms…It’s the nature of the business, obviously you have to be professional… pic.twitter.com/PjqGwnot2O
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 2, 2025
Klay Thompson on if he would’ve made the same decision to join the Mavs if he’d known his time as teammates with Luka Doncic would be short lived:
“I live with no regrets. I’m happy to be a Maverick…I’m excited to be in Dallas & I’m very excited for what’s ahead.” pic.twitter.com/uJEKLsUxXC
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 3, 2025
I also spoke to PJ Washington, who’s out today with right knee soreness, about his reaction to the Luka Doncic trade:
“It surprised me, for sure. I was shocked. I just wish him the best. Obviously, he’s one of our brothers & we went through the battles & fires with him. In this… pic.twitter.com/8jDsEV7Z4b
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 2, 2025
Josh Hart said what we were all thinking and then tried to lighten things up in the only manner he could:
Josh Hart on the Luka trade:
“Gotta give credit to Rob Pelinka. Highway robbery. It’s always good for someone like me when I get traded for a superstar. I got traded for Luka, great vibes.”
(via @sny_knicks)pic.twitter.com/9AHV3rYxrw
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 4, 2025
And finally, Mavericks superfan Patrick Mahomes chimed in on the trade on Super Bowl media day:
.@PatrickMahomes on the Luka Dončić trade
: #SBOpeningNight on @nflnetwork
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/G2y7zvJTLm— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2025
The sheer callousness of this whole sordid affair was an extreme reminder of the transactional nature of the sport where owners and GMs tend to treat most of their players as pieces rather than consider the larger human ramifications of these moves. What the Mavericks did though, went beyond the pale and has forced some of the other teams to alter some of their itineraries to avoid embarrassing situations.
In light of major NBA movement recently, a few teams that are scheduled to travel on Feb. 6 of the trade deadline have adjusted itineraries after realizing the team would be in the air when the deadline passed. This is to prevent a potential awkward flight.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 3, 2025
So, Congratulations Joffrey Baratheon. Sorry. Congratulations Nico Harrison. You’ve made your point. You are the big man making all the moves—the top dog. You’ve proven to the whole league that you’re ready to make it all about yourself and you’re not afraid to go as low as possible and trash your superstar on the way out after stabbing him in the back.
For a guy who’s supposed to oversee building and maintaining “Relationships” around the league, what you’ve done with this is 1. Torpedo a franchise 2. Alienate a fanbase, and 3. Repulse every big-name player around the league. It’s so unfathomably terrible that it’s almost impressive.
You might be buried in 10yrs time, but your name will live on in infamy – As the clown who tore everything down to feed his own ego. It’s too bad that we as Mavericks fans must suffer the consequences.