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LUKA Doncic shared a message to Dallas Mavericks fans hours after the blockbuster trade that saw him land with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The trade shook the NBA world, and Mavericks fans did not take the trade well.
In the early hours of Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis[/caption]
Mavericks fans held a protest in response to the stunning trade of Doncic[/caption]
The Lakers acquired the five-team All-NBA First Team guard Doncic and Maxi Kleber in a deal for 10-time All-Star power forward Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a draft pick.
The Utah Jazz were also involved in the trade.
Doncic has been the face of the Mavericks since the franchise acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft.
On Sunday, the 25-year-old thanked the fans for being there for him but didn’t mention the Dallas team.
“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level,” Doncic wrote in a social media post.
“I thought I’d spent my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship.
“The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of.
“For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home.”
“In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support has never changed.
“Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
Doncic then thanked the “organizations I’ve worked with throughout the Dallas community.”
“As I start the next part of my basketball journey, I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from home,” he added.
“Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
How are the Mavericks fans taking the trade of Doncic, who led the team to the NBA Finals last season and a Western Conference Finals appearance the year prior?
On Sunday afternoon, a group of Mavs fans were seen at the American Airlines Center in Dallas hosting a protest against the organization’s owner and front office, including general manager Nico Harrison, who’s gotten the brunt of the criticism.
They were also holding a mock funeral as a few fans, dressed in black suits, carried a blue coffin to the steps in front of the arena.
There were Doncic jerseys, shirts, and other items laid out.
“Why?!” one of the fans carrying the coffin screamed toward the sky as Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again was played over a speaker, Dallas News displayed the scene in a video.
It was reported by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that the Mavericks had “major concerns” with Doncic’s condition and the impending potential supermax contract extension.
Doncic, who’s been out with a calf injury for over a month, has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 22 games with the Mavericks this season.
He was massively popular in Dallas and the rest of the world.
Fans gather near a coffin and tribute to the new Lakers superstar Doncic[/caption]
Doncic jerseys and shirts were laid down on the ground at the protest as some signs called out the Mavericks front office, mainly general manager Nico Harrison, for the trade[/caption]
Doncic’s No. 77 Mavs jersey was ranked No. 8 among best-sellers through the NBA’s online shop during the first half of the campaign – despite him being injured close to half of that span.
His jersey sales will likely soar when the Lakers make his new ones available.
Doncic will now team up with LeBron James and the Lakers, who are 28-19 and are the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
“Grateful for this amazing opportunity,” Doncic wrote in another social media post which quoted the Lakers’ account welcoming him to LA.
“Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game, I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal — to win championships.”
