Luka Doncic writes letter to Mavs fans after trade
DALLAS - Luka Dončić wrote a letter to Mavericks fans on Sunday after news broke that he was going to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Reports say Luka was just as surprised as the rest of us to hear the news.
The Slovenia star expressed his gratitude to Mavericks fans in his statement.
Luka's letter to Mavs fans
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I'd spend 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 ever have 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 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.
To all the organizations I've worked with throughout the Dallas community, thank you for letting me contribute to your important work and to join you in bringing light to those who need it. 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.
Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
-Luka
Luka Dončić on playing for the Lakers
Luka also responded from a post from the Lakers announcing that he would be coming to Los Angeles.
What they're saying:
"Grateful for this amazing opportunity. 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," Luka wrote on social media.
Luka Dončić Trade
What we know:
Here is the full trade:
- Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick
What we don't know:
The Mavericks say at this time they do not know when the first time Davis and Christie will suit up for the Mavericks.
The Lakers have also not commented on a timeline for when the ex-Mavericks will put on the purple and gold.
Luka Doncic trade: Dallas Mavericks fan gather at AAC to show frustration
The Dallas Mavericks are playing in Cleveland on Sunday, but fans still showed up to the American Airlines Center to express their frustration with the team's decision to trade Luka Dončić.
Dončić has been out since Christmas with a calf injury.
Luka's Time in Dallas
The backstory:
The Dallas Mavericks traded up to get Luka Dončić out of Slovenia in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The young point guard was special right away, winning Rookie of Year while playing on a team with Dirk Nowitzki.
Now, Dončić is one of the NBA's biggest stars, being named first team All-NBA in each of the last 5 seasons.
He also led the Mavericks to playoff success, with a trip to the NBA Finals last season and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.
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Luka Doncic trade: Mavs GM Nico Harrison explains rationale behind deal
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd held their first news conference since the news broke that Luka Dončić would be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Here's what they said.
In his career in Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic’s 28.6-point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain — both at 30.1.
The Source: Information in this article comes from Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.