Dalla’s Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was on a family holiday when the news of the Seismic Luke Doncic-Anthony Davis trade broke, but he found it out quickly.
“When I saw the news I was actually everywhere on the other side of the world. I was on vacation with family in the Maldives … actually by going to lunch and then we leave that day to travel back and my phone starts to start blow up, “Nowitzki said during a performance of 96.7 ticket’s ticketstock event.
Nowitzki and Doncic overlapped in a season in Dallas and formed a strong relationship. He said they texted after the trade went down.
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Dirk Nowitzki gives his speech as he is introduced in 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame in Symphony Hall. (Eric Canha -usa Today Sports)
“Forward that came home, obviously Luka, we texted a little. I felt a little disappointed and sad for him. He obviously didn’t see this coming. He invited me to get out to his first game in (Los Angeles) and I Felt that I had to support him, ”Nowitzki said.
“I played with him in my last season. We got close. I tried to mentoring him. I tried to help as much as I can in the last few years.”
Maverick’s fans hoped Doncic would be like Nowitzki, the superstar who stayed in Dallas all his career and won a title for them.
Luka Doncic -handel to Lakers couldn’t veto it, says NBA Commish
Dallas Maverick’s guard Luka Doncic (77) greets former player Dirk Nowitzki after beating Phoenix Suns in the game seven of the second round to 2022 NBA playing games at the Footprint Center. (Mark J. Revilas-usa Today Sports)
Doncic, like Maverick’s fans, was “disappointed” over the trade. Nowitzki participated in Doncic’s first match with Los Angeles Lakers to support Doncic and not Lakers.
“He’s a good kid, so I felt I had to go out there and support him in this new chapter. It was reported he was pretty down and disappointed how it was going down, so I would be there For him.
“In guys so my face, it was weird. It was surreal to see him play for Lakers. I never want to be Lakers -Fan, but I always have to be a Luka fan.”
Los Angeles Laker’s guard Luka Doncic moves as he comes back during the first half of a NBA basketball match against Utah Jazz, Monday 10 February 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Doncic said that Nowiztki, who was there for his laker’s debut, was “astonishing” via Dallas Morning News.
The midpoint of the return in the Doncic trade for Mavericks was Anthony Davis. Davis injured his groin in one of his first matches with Mavericks and has been out since.
Mavericks and Lakers are ready to meet for the first time since trade on Tuesday, February 25 at 1 p.m. 22.00 ET.
