Dallas Mavericks fans are still feeling the effects of the infamous trade that sent franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move triggered widespread backlash. Much of the criticism was directed at then–general manager Nico Harrison, who was eventually fired during the season. Since the deal, the Mavericks have struggled to regain their rhythm, and the trade has largely symbolized a period of misfortune for the franchise.
Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the blockbuster move. Following the Lakers’ matchup against the New York Knicks, former Dallas player and current Knicks star Jalen Brunson shared his reaction to seeing Doncic in a Lakers uniform.
“It’s definitely weird,” Brunson said. “I think we all expected him to be in Dallas for the longest time. Now he’s a Laker and he’s playing great and still doing the things he does.”
Doncic and Brunson spent four seasons together in Dallas, where Mavericks fans witnessed Luka’s rise into a franchise-defining star. During that stretch, the Slovenian star led the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade in 2024.
However, after the trade, Dallas selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. While the rookie has shown effort and promise, many fans remain unconvinced that he can fill the void left by Doncic. What’s more, Davis has missed significant time due to injuries, while Luka has continued to thrive almost nightly in Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic Reflects on Lakers’ Title Hopes One Year After Trade
After Sunday’s game, Doncic also offered his honest assessment of where the Lakers stand as championship contenders one year after his departure from Dallas.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Luka said. “Obviously, got some work to do. But I think we have a great group.”
The trade has done little to diminish Doncic’s drive to assert his dominance. Since arriving in Los Angeles, he has quietly become the face of the franchise and earned the full support and admiration of Lakers fans.
Despite the Lakers’ 112–100 loss to the Knicks on Sunday, Luka once again delivered a standout performance, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. He now holds the record for the most 30/5/5 games in a single season in Lakers history.
While Doncic continues to make history in Los Angeles, the contrast in Dallas has been stark. The Mavericks are struggling with a 19–30 record and currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference.
