With an unexpected trade happening at the start of the month, the reactions have been rolling in and aren't slowing down.
Over the first week of February, a lot of change has happened within the NBA, as the trade deadline came to an end. There were lots of predictions on who would go where and whose contracts were up, but no one expected this particular trade: on February 2nd, 2025, Luka Doncic, now a former point guard for the Dallas Mavericks, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. This trade was made in exchange for Anthony Davis, the former power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. It has been revealed that ever since January 7th, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison had invited Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka to have a conversation about a potential trade and what the future of their teams would look like. But this came as a shock to many sports fans across the world, especially to Mavs fans.
The day of the trade announcement, Mavs fans gathered outside American Airlines Center to have a "funeral" for the star player, as a reaction to the recent news. Many fans were left speechless, some of them even saying how "it’s the death of our culture", according to Mavs fan Yoel Measho. Fans including Measho set up a casket with Doncic jerseys, Mavericks merchandise and posters, as a tribute to what he meant to Dallas. Ryan Safdarina was another fan that arrived early to the event. He held up a sign that mirrored Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes "I’m Sick" social media post from February 2nd, when the trade was made public. Safdarina said he was asleep and woke up to the heartbreaking news: "it's like I woke up from a nightmare." Lots of people wanted answers on why this decision was taken, especially with such a secretive way of doing it. One of the main reactions, of course, came from Luka. Doncic was in pure shock as to the deal that was negotiated. He softly stated at a Lakers press conference last Tuesday that "that's their decision, [I] have no comment on that. They made a decision, I don't know why, I can't do anything about it. Everybody was surprised, so you can imagine how surprised I was." He even mentioned that he was almost asleep when he had gotten the call and had to check to make sure it wasn't April first.
Doncic is still excited about this new fresh start, and what he could learn from his new teammate LeBron James. "It's just like a dream come true", he said. "I always looked up to him. There's so many things I can learn from him, and I'm just, just to learn everything and get to play with him. It's an amazing feeling." He's also eager that he gets to play with other former Mavericks Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. "To come to a new place but still know some people", Doncic declared. "Mentally, I think that's a really good thing. The guys that are here, they'll help me, like, learn new stuff about L.A., about the team. It's just helpful to see friendly faces."
With familiar faces still being around Doncic, he will also get to play alongside somebody motivating in L.A; that being LeBron James. As a matter of the trade itself, James was stunned to see Anthony Davis go. Even though he was surprised by the news at first, he is now super thrilled about getting to work with Luka on the court, as he's been one of his favorite players. "Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now", James commented after a recent game against the Clippers. "I've always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire the next generation, and Luka happens to be one of them, and now we're teammates so it'll be a very seamless transition." As excited as he was, he was nonetheless shocked saying, "the first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake."
As all the trades have finally come to a close, we'll have to keep a close eye on both Luka and LeBron, as well as the Lakers and the Mavericks during the rest of the NBA season. Each team will face off against each other on February 25th, 2025 which will for sure bring new perspectives on this huge decision.
Edited by Elsa Olano
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