Luka Doncic traded to Lakers from Mavericks in a blockbuster deal. The Slovenian superstar expressed his gratitude and love for Dallas in an emotional farewell.
Luka Doncic delivered an emotional farewell to Dallas on Sunday, coinciding with the official confirmation of a blockbuster trade sending him from the Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for All- NBA forward Anthony Davis . Doncic penned a heartfelt letter to the city, expressing his profound desire to bring a championship to Dallas and his belief that he would spend his entire career there. 'For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S.
for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home,' Doncic wrote. '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.'Doncic's popularity in Dallas transcended the basketball court. His No. 77 Mavericks jersey consistently ranked among the top sellers on NBAStore.com, signifying his immense fan following. Even on Sunday, some Doncic merchandise remained available on the Mavs' online store. This sentiment will likely intensify as the Lakers release their new Doncic jerseys, propelling sales to new heights. 'Grateful for this amazing opportunity,' Doncic wrote in another social media post, linking to an official welcome message from the Lakers' accounts. '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.' The trade sent shockwaves through the basketball community. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks initially dismissed it as fake news, expressing disbelief at the magnitude of the deal. 'It’s insane. This is the world we’re living in. It’s a business. You have to understand this. Nobody’s safe,' Antetokounmpo stated. However, he also acknowledged the complexities of player movement in professional sports, emphasizing that players make decisions based on what they believe is best for their careers. Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson speculated on X (formerly Twitter) that there must be a deeper story behind Doncic's departure from Dallas. 'Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it. This just doesn’t happen on a random Saturday night,' he tweeted. Doncic's father, Sasa, voiced his disapproval on Slovenian television, asserting that Luka did not deserve this treatment. 'Luka absolutely did not deserve this. He sacrificed a lot. He really respected Dallas. Luka respected the whole city,' Sasa stated. Doncic had cultivated strong connections within the Dallas community, actively participating in numerous charitable endeavors. He generously donated substantial sums to various organizations in North Texas and arranged for Jordan Brand sneakers – the brand he represents – to be distributed to frontline workers during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation was reciprocated. When Doncic led Slovenia to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Dallas County Commissioners proclaimed July 6 of that year as 'Luka Doncic Day' in recognition of his both on- and off-court achievements.In just 422 games with the Mavericks, Doncic established himself as a franchise icon, ranking sixth on the all-time scoring list, second in 3-pointers (behind only Dirk Nowitzki), third in rebounds, and fifth in assists. Doncic concluded his farewell letter with a poignant message: 'To all the organizations I’ve worked with throughout the Dallas community, thank you for letting me contribute to your important work and 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.
NBA Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis Trade Farewell Slovenian
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