X

Windhorst: Luka Dončić 'Seething' at Mavericks for Lakers Trade amid Presser Comments

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 4, 2025

Slovenian basketball player Luka Doncic (C) holds up a jersey as he stands alongside Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick (R) and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka  during a press conference introducing Doncic as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers, at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, California on February 4, 2025. Slovenian star Luka Doncic said February 2, 2025 he thought he'd spend his entire NBA career in Dallas, thanking fans in Texas for making it feel like home a day after the Mavericks abruptly traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Luka Dončić is not happy with the Dallas Mavericks after his landscape-altering trade to the Los Angeles Lakers that shocked the entire NBA community.

"He portrayed nothing today, but from what I understand, he is seething at them," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said during Tuesday's Pardon the Interruption. "And the fanbase is seething at the team in a way I've rarely seen before. ... I suspect Mr. Dončić will be looking at all Dallas games very, very closely going forward."

Dončić didn't tip his hand during his introductory press conference with the Lakers, calling the trade a "big shock" and saying he had to initially check if it was April Fool's Day after hearing of the news, but adding that he now gets to play for "the greatest club in the world, and I'm excited for this new journey."

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill

Luka: "I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there. Loyalty is a big word for me…<br><br>(But) I got the ocean here. I get to play for the Lakers. Not many get to say that."

But superstars in their prime like Dončić almost never get traded, and certainly never without either requesting a trade or being informed that the team is looking to move in a new direction.

The Mavericks moved with a level of secrecy that was stunning to everyone, including Dončić, and it's easy enough to understand why he might be harboring some anger toward the organization.