How do Dallas Maverick’s fans deal with the trade with their superstar guard Luka Doncic?
Well, some take sorrow to another level.
To review it was an understatement for a group of fans discovered at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, which hosted a funeral, or perhaps a protest, after one of the most shocking trades in professional sports history.
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Dallas Mavericks fans go to the arena with a coffin during a spotted funeral before the game between Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets in the American Airlines Center to protest the trade with Mavericks Point Guard Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
Yes, it was a funeral when several fans, dressed in black suits, wore a blue coffin to the steps in front of the arena, where Doncic shirts, sweaters and more were spread.
“Why?!” One of the men who wear the coffin screamed into the area while Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” played over a speaker, Per Dallas News.
Mavericks fans may not go to the extreme that this group did on Sunday, but many are still in shock and even denial after trade fell late Saturday night.
The deal sent Doncic and Maxi Kleber to Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a draft election. Utah Jazz was also involved in the deal.
The NBA world could not believe Doncic, the five-time all-star, who was named Western Conference Finals MVP last season during the team’s final while led the NBA in the scoring (33.9 points), was traded by the franchise that took Ham the third overall overall in 2018. In just 25 years old, Doncic is still one of the most important pieces in the future of the game.
Even Doncic seemed to be weakened by trade after writing a farewell note to Maverick’s fans just hours after the trade, which some thought was a fake on social media when the reports fell became official.
He did not mention the team’s name at all – only showing the love of the fan base.
Dallas Mavericks fans gather at a spotted burial before the game between Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets at the American Airlines Center to protest against the trade with Mavericks Point Guard Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level,” Doncic wrote. “I thought I would spend my career here and I would so badly give you a championship. The love and support that you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of. For a toddler from Slovenia coming to the United States for the first time you made North Texas feel like home.
“In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA final, your support never changed. Thanks not only for sharing my joy in our best memories, but also raised met when I needed it the most.
“To all the organizations I have worked with throughout the Dallas Society, thanks for letting me contribute to your important work and joining you to bring light to those who need it. When I start the next part of my Basketball journey, I am to leave a city that will always feel like a home away from home.
“Dallas is a special place and Mavs fans are special fans.
“Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.”
Luka Doncic, #77, celebrates after sinking a basket in the second half of Game 6 of a NBA basketball playoff series against Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday 18 May 2024 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The reaction to the trade was huge as it went down, and Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, preparing for potential NFL history this week on the Super Bowl Lix, had time to share his “sick” thoughts about it.
“Wait what? I’m sick rn….” Mahomes, a native in Texas discovered in this last season NBA Finals Rooting for the Mavericks, wrote on X.
Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas after leaving the game with a strained left calf. With the trade, he is now prevented from signing a five-year SuperMax contract extension that would have been worth $ 345 million. However, he can sign an expansion with a maximum payment of $ 230 million.
Maverick’s GM Nico Harrison talked about the trade on Sunday, with his thinking that this shocking trade was a win-now feature. In addition, with the contract threatening, Harrison made a judgment that could change the franchise – to better or worse.
“There are other teams that loaded,” he explained. “He would be able to take his own decision at some point whether he wants to be here or not whether we will supermax him or not, or whether he will opt out of it. We had to take all that in mind and I Feeling that we came out in front of what could have been a stormy summer.
Dallas Mavericks fans go to the arena with a coffin during a spotted funeral before the game between Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets in the American Airlines Center to protest the trade with Mavericks Point Guard Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
Dallas, without Doncic, dynamic guard Kyrie Irving and Davis were not yet in uniform, was embarrassed by Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday evening, 144-101, along the way.
Mavericks are 26-24 on the season, which is good for ninth at the western conference.
