The legend of the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, was on a family vacation when the news of Luke Donc-Anthony Davis’s seismic broke, but quickly found out.
“When I saw the news, I was actually on the other side of the world. I was on vacation with the family in the Maldives … actually about to go to lunch, and then we are going to leave that day for a return trip, And my phone starts to explode, “said Nowitzki during an appearance at 96.7 the tickets’ tickets of the ticket.
Nowitzki and Doncic overlap for a season in Dallas and formed a strong relationship. He said they sent text messages after the exchange fell.
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Dirk Nowitzki gives his speech when included in the Basketball Hall 2023 in Symphony Hall. (Eric Canha-USA Today Sports)
“Fast advance when I returned home, obviously Luka, we sent a text message a little. I felt a bit disappointed and sad for him. Obviously he didn’t see this coming. He invited me to go out to his first game in (Los Angeles), and I felt that I had to support him, “said Nowitzki.
“I played with him in my last season. We approached. I tried his mentor, I tried to help everything I could in recent years.”
Mavericks fans expected Doncic to be like Nowitzki, the superstar that stayed in Dallas all of his career and won a title for them.
Luka Donc’s trade to Lakers could not be vetoed, says NBA Commish
The Dallas Mavericks Guard, Luka Doncic (77), greets former player Dirk Nowitzki after beating the Phoenix Suns in game seven of the second round for the NBA 2022 playoffs in Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)
Doncic, like Mavericks fans, was “disappointed” with the trade. Nowitzki attended the first Doncic game with Los Angeles Lakers in support of Doncic, and not to the Lakers.
“He is a good boy, so I felt that he had to leave and support him in this new chapter. It was reported that he was quite depressed and disappointed how he fell, so he wanted to be there for him. He wanted to be there for his family and show support “Nowitzki said.
“You saw my face, it was weird. It was surreal to see him play for the Lakers. I will never be a fan of the Lakers, but I must always be a fan of Luka.”
The Los Angeles Lakers Guard, Luka Doncic, gestures when he returns during the first half of a NBA basketball match against Utah jazz, on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Doncic said Nowiztki to be there for his debut in the Lakers was “incredible”, through Dallas Morning News.
The centerpiece of the return in Doncic trade for the Mavericks was Anthony Davis. Davis was injured his groin in one of his first games with the Mavericks and has been out since then.
The mavericks and the Lakers will face for the first time from the exchange on Tuesday, February 25 at 10:00 pm et.
