Reactions have been pouring in following the significant trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers while sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
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Luka Doncic expressed gratitude in the Mavericks’ player group chat, stating, “Thanks for everything,” highlighting his appreciation for his time in Dallas.
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Sasa Doncic, Luka’s father, shared his thoughts on a Slovenian television network: “Luka absolutely did not deserve this. He sacrificed a lot. He really respected Dallas. Luka respected the whole city.” His emotional response underscores the deep connection Luka had with the community.
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Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke candidly about his surprise at the trade. He remarked, “I was surprised. I’ll say that. I was surprised. But it’s the league — and that’s what I think makes the league so amazing. You don’t know what’s going to happen. And each organization has their own plan, but each organization is chasing the same thing.” His comments reflect the unpredictable nature of the NBA.
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Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers, conveyed optimism about the future, stating, “We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach (J.J.) Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans.”
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Jason Kidd, coach of the Mavericks, emphasized their focus on competitiveness: “Defense wins championships. AD is the one that we truly believe fits. … When you look at going forward, we’re looking at the window to win now.”
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Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan commented on the caliber of players involved: “It’s obviously two great players that have had incredible success with teams, and they’ve had incredible individual career success as well.” He acknowledged the impressive impact both players have had on the league.
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Nico Harrison, the Mavericks’ general manager, conveyed the weight of the trade’s implications: “We definitely understand the magnitude of what just transpired. It’s not lost on us. We would like to thank Luka for his brilliance.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson shared excitement about the potential matchup of Doncic and LeBron James, saying, “I just love seeing great players. I love seeing great players play together. I mean, for the fan, it’s fascinating. It’s interesting, positive thing for the league.” He also pondered on Anthony Davis teaming up with Kyrie Irving.
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Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers reflected on the shocking nature of the trade, recalling, “I thought it was AI-generated. Then I found out it was real. … Two teams thought they could make their teams better. That’s what I always say. And usually one will be right.”
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, a star for the Bucks, expressed his beliefs on player movements, saying, “I thought it was fake news. It’s insane. This is the world we’re living in. It’s a business. You have to understand this. Nobody’s safe.” His insights brought attention to the duality of decisions faced by players and organizations alike.
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When asked about the trades, Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla quipped, “Don’t ask about the trades. I don’t really care.” His focus remains solely on his team’s performance.
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Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse remarked on the unexpected player movements, saying, “Unprecedented, right? That those kind of players are moving — you know, surprising, for sure, but I think there’s been a lot of stars moving in the recent years that we’ve all been surprised by.” He also noted that his priority is on his team’s situation.
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NBA analyst Charles Barkley commented, “The Mavs obviously had to make a decision this summer whether to give him five years, $350 million. That’s a lot of money to give a guy you don’t think can stay in shape and is always going to be hurt.” He questioned the Mavericks’ decision-making in light of Luka’s future reliability.
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Cleveland center Tristan Thompson suggested that there may be more to the story behind Luka’s trade: “Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it. This just doesn’t happen on a random Saturday night.”
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his surprise on social media, stating simply, “Wait what?” He is known to attend Mavericks games when time allows.
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The trade has sparked widespread discussion and analysis among players, coaches, and fans, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of professional basketball.
