Dirk Nowitzki’s Honest Reaction To Mavericks Trading Luka Doncic
Dirk Nowitzki's Honest Reaction To Mavericks Trading Luka Doncic
The NBA world was shocked on March 17, 2025, when news broke that Luka Doncic had been traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks legend and Hall of Famer, shared his stunned reaction to the blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves throughout basketball circles.
Nowitzki was vacationing with his family in the Maldives when his phone suddenly exploded with notifications. Initially in disbelief, he postponed family plans to process the news, spending an hour scrolling through social media to confirm the trade was legitimate and not a hoax.
“I was completely shocked. It came out of nowhere,” Nowitzki explained in a recent podcast appearance. The German basketball icon immediately reached out to Doncic, though it took about a day before the Slovenian star responded.
The relationship between Nowitzki and Doncic runs deep. They shared the court during Nowitzki’s final NBA season, with the veteran taking on a mentorship role for the young phenom. This connection prompted Nowitzki to fly to Los Angeles to support Doncic during his Lakers debut.
Seeing Doncic in Lakers gold proved surreal for Nowitzki. “It was bizarre standing in that arena watching him run onto the court wearing yellow,” he admitted. The visual representation made the trade’s reality hit harder.
The trade carries significant financial implications for Doncic. By leaving Dallas, he forfeited the opportunity to sign a Supermax contract, potentially costing him over $100 million. However, Nowitzki believes Doncic isn’t primarily motivated by money and likely views the Lakers as a long-term home with championship potential.
Interestingly, Nowitzki revealed that Mark Cuban, former majority owner of the Mavericks, apparently had no knowledge of the trade beforehand. Cuban, who once promised never to trade Doncic, now holds less than 30% ownership stake and limited decision-making authority.
According to Nowitzki, the trade was orchestrated by General Manager Nico Harrison and new majority owner Patrick Dumont without Cuban’s involvement. This organizational shift highlights how the Mavericks’ management structure has evolved since Cuban sold his controlling interest.
The MVP-caliber talent of Doncic made this trade particularly shocking. At just 26 years old, he was widely considered the cornerstone of the Mavericks‘ future. His elite playmaking, scoring ability, and basketball IQ had established him as one of the NBA’s premier talents.
Doncic’s journey with Dallas included:
- 2019 Rookie of the Year
- 5× NBA All-Star
- 4× All-NBA First Team
- Led Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022
- Averaged 29.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over seven seasons
The Lakers’ acquisition of Doncic immediately positions them as favorites to reach the NBA Finals. His arrival marks one of the most significant player movements in recent NBA history, comparable to LeBron James joining the Lakers in 2018.
For the Mavericks, the post-Doncic era represents a complete organizational reset. Dallas received a package of young players, draft picks, and salary cap flexibility in return, though the specific details of the trade package remain closely analyzed by experts.
Nowitzki acknowledged the business aspects of basketball but admitted, “This trade really hurt. It will take time before everyone processes it and moves on.” His reaction reflects the sentiment of many Mavericks supporters struggling to accept the departure of their franchise cornerstone.
The emotional impact on the Dallas fanbase cannot be understated. Doncic had become the face of the franchise, following in Nowitzki’s footsteps as the team’s European superstar. His departure leaves a void not only in the roster but in the identity of the organization itself.
While Nowitzki remains loyal to the Mavericks, his presence at Doncic’s Lakers debut demonstrates the personal connection that transcends team affiliations. Basketball relationships often survive the business decisions that separate players from their original teams.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
