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As shocking as the Luka Doncic trade was for all either within the NBA or those who follow it, it was also shocking for him to be abruptly traded by the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles Lakers on the evening of February 1st.

"Those close to him say he has alternated between shock, sadness and anger," writes ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. 

Doncic is currently living in a Los Angeles hotel with his fiancee and young daughter after recently closing on a new house in Dallas.

"The closure is going to take a while, I think," Dončić said after the Lakers' 107-99 win. "It's not ideal."

Those close to Doncic are working to help him move forward sooner rather than later.

Doncic was ready to commit to a five-year, $345 million supermax with the Mavericks this coming offseason. Now, the Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension this summer, or a five-year, $296 million contract during the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Via Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

I think nearly everyone feels that way, Laker fans notwithstanding

Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

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RipCityKJ wrote:Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

Nico didn't cost Luka a cent. Luka cost himself $116m by not having the work ethic DAL expected from a $345m player. It's fair for Luka to be mad about it, but most of that anger should be geared towards himself. I promise you that DAL had had multiple and ongoing conversations about Luka not meeting their expectations from that standpoint. My guess is that Luka felt that he was good enough to not have to listen to the FO. He was wrong. (None of this should be construed as me saying it was a good trade.)

RipCityKJ wrote:Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

If Nico got hurt or even worse over this trade, it would set the league back for decades and give players even more perceived power.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

RipCityKJ wrote:Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

Nico didn't cost Luka a cent. Luka cost himself $116m by not having the work ethic DAL expected from a $345m player. It's fair for Luka to be mad about it, but most of that anger should be geared towards himself. I promise you that DAL had had multiple and ongoing conversations about Luka not meeting their expectations from that standpoint. My guess is that Luka felt that he was good enough to not have to listen to the FO. He was wrong. (None of this should be construed as me saying it was a good trade.)

You can't promise anything because you have no idea.

His work ethic was so bad he drug them to the finals through a brutal western conference, playing 41 mins a game, averaging 29 pts, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists. And got traded for a roll of Charmin with a 'great work ethic' in the worst trade in NBA history - by a moronic GM that just set his franchise back a decade, severed the fan base , and gifted a conference rival an MVP caliber centerpiece for the next decade. For a player the Lakers weren't even going to extend. But Luka's the bad guy? Yeah okay.

There's no conspiracy theory.... or Luka 'must have done something' or the owner made Nico do it, or Luka wasn't going to re-sign. That's all been debunked. As hard as it is to believe, Nico really is just that monumentally, historically, bad at his job. Or working for the Lakers. Or both.

RipCityKJ wrote:Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

Owner didn’t want to have a $345M debt on the books. That’s a big number. Simple as that.

Lol at anyone defending Nico or Dallas management.

Luka Doncic Has Alternated Between 278, 266 and 274 Since Trade

I don't know why some of us are discussing about his losses. Being a LA celebrity will give him more than half a billion in endorsements in the coming 5-10 yrs. If anything he actually will make more money by getting traded to LA

RJT2k wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

RipCityKJ wrote:Nico cost this guy $116 million and is still walking around today? I know stories of people who’ve died over $20.

Nico didn't cost Luka a cent. Luka cost himself $116m by not having the work ethic DAL expected from a $345m player. It's fair for Luka to be mad about it, but most of that anger should be geared towards himself. I promise you that DAL had had multiple and ongoing conversations about Luka not meeting their expectations from that standpoint. My guess is that Luka felt that he was good enough to not have to listen to the FO. He was wrong. (None of this should be construed as me saying it was a good trade.)

You can't promise anything because you have no idea.

His work ethic was so bad he drug them to the finals through a brutal western conference, playing 41 mins a game, averaging 29 pts, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists. And got traded for a roll of Charmin with a 'great work ethic' in the worst trade in NBA history - by a moronic GM that just set his franchise back a decade, severed the fan base , and gifted a conference rival an MVP caliber centerpiece for the next decade. For a player the Lakers weren't even going to extend. But Luka's the bad guy? Yeah okay.

There's no conspiracy theory.... or Luka 'must have done something' or the owner made Nico do it, or Luka wasn't going to re-sign. That's all been debunked. As hard as it is to believe, Nico really is just that monumentally, historically, bad at his job. Or working for the Lakers. Or both.

I can promise you because it's been well documented. It's also common sense that when your star player comes in looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, conversations will be had.

Luka is one of the most gifted basketball players we have seen... and he's done it without a great work ethic, which is incredible. Imagine what he could be!

I didn't say Luka was "the bad guy". There is no bad guy. For whatever reason, DAL opted to get out of the Luka business. Nico certainly didn't make this decision on his own. Multiple people had to sign off on pulling the trigger. If luka worked hard and was a great hang he would still be there. Part of having a great work ethic is working on yourself. Luka cost himself $116m. No conspiracy necessary.

And sorry, I'm a professional musician and this video came to mind. It really applies to all walks of life! (Victor Wooten is the Luka of bass!)



And just a heads up, LAL would have resigned AD at the earliest opportunity and for all the dollars... every single one. This was clearly not the worst trade in NBA history. ALL-NBA players went in both directions. It wasn't even the worst trade this season; that Bridges trade is looking nasty!

So just like regular ppl react to Tr.mp every day ?

So in addition to his physical conditioning concerns, he's also an emotional wreck

I don't see Luka signing that extension in the offseason

Hopefully he will eat some kale for breakfast

He goes through same emotions every time he doesn't like ref's call

I thought he was alternating between Doritos, Cheetohs, and Fritos.