Luka Doncic’s Message To Maverick’s Fans After Shocking Trade To Lakers: ‘I Thought I’d Spend My Career Here’

The news that broke Saturday night of Luka Doncic‘s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers ignited shockwaves of disbelief, anger and grief among Dallas Mavericks fans – and also for Doncic himself.

The star reportedly bought a $15 million house in Dallas just last week, cementing a stay that nearly everyone believed would be for the long haul. Doncic, who the Mavericks traded for during the 2018 Draft, led them to the NBA Finals just last year, leading the league with 33.9 points per game during the regular season. Since his rookie year, he’s received five All-Star and five All-NBA selections.

Dallas general manager Nico Harrison appears to have spearheaded the move in near-complete secrecy, even forgoing an additional pick from Los Angeles to avoid involving Doncic’s agent.

In the hours following, Mavericks fans kept vigil outside the American Airlines Center, where the team plays. Fans camped out and left tributes under the statue of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki, engraved with the motto, “Loyalty never fades away.” Some directed anger at Harrison and the ownership. Most milled around, transforming the plaza into a sort of communal grieving affair.

They weren’t the only ones devastated – Doncic reportedly cried when news of the trade broke.

On Sunday, as fans continued to gather, Doncic posted a statement thanking them, the city of Dallas, and the organizations he had worked with there. The statement did not mention the Mavericks organization.

The statement, titled ‘Dear Dallas’:

“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship. The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of. For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home.

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.

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.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

In the wake of the heartbreak, many Mavericks fans have disavowed their allegiance to the team. Doncic captioned the post “#MFFL” – Mavs Fan For Life.

“[The Mavs] could win every game the rest of the season, and win the championship, and it wouldn’t really matter, because all of the emotional value in that journey just got sucked away,” a fan told Fox 4 News.

“It feels like someone close to you died, in a way.”