NBA Fans Give Luka Doncic New Nickname After Lakers Trade
NBA Fans Give Luka Doncic New Nickname After Lakers Trade
Luka Doncic, the talented basketball star who recently joined the Los Angeles Lakers, has acquired a new nickname among NBA fans: “Hookah Doncic.”
This moniker emerged following a February 26, 2025 report from The Athletic that detailed concerns the Dallas Mavericks organization allegedly had about Doncic’s lifestyle habits.
The report suggested that the Mavericks traded their superstar partially due to worries about his affinity for beer and hookah smoking. Rather than criticizing Doncic, fans have embraced these revelations, creating the playful nickname that has quickly spread across social media platforms.
Fans have been quick to defend Doncic, pointing out his impressive accomplishments despite these supposed habits. Many highlighted his five All-NBA selections and his success in leading the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals twice and the NBA Finals last season—all before turning 26 years old.
The trade has been particularly controversial given Doncic’s status as one of the league’s premier talents. Currently in his prime at age 25, many consider him an MVP-caliber player whose best years are still ahead. His first game against his former team resulted in a triple-double performance and a Lakers victory, further fueling fan support.
Doncic has collected several nicknames throughout his career, including:
- Luka Magic
- El Matador
- Wonderboy
- Baby Bird
- Nino Maravilla
“Hookah Doncic” now joins this list, representing a rare instance where fans have transformed what could be perceived as a negative report into a term of endearment.
The Mavericks front office, led by GM Nico Harrison, continues to face significant backlash for the trade. Fans remain skeptical of the organization’s justifications, with many suggesting the concerns about Doncic‘s habits are merely excuses for what they view as a serious misstep.
Some supporters believe that Doncic’s partnership with LeBron James might positively influence his health habits. The pairing of these two basketball prodigies has already shown promising results on the court, suggesting that regardless of off-court habits, Doncic’s basketball brilliance remains undeniable.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
