The trade that sent Luka Doncic from Dallas to Los Angeles not only broke his heart, but his phone too.
The newest Lakers star discussed the oft-criticized February 2 deal that sent him, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to LA for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has faced relentless criticism over the move, which caught both fans and Doncic himself completely by surprise.
‘I was actually in bed,’ Doncic told ESPN’s Malika Andrews. ‘My TV wasn’t working so I was on an iPad watching movie about to go to sleep, first thing I said probably three times was, ‘Is this April 1st?’
It wasn’t April Fool’s Day, but Groundhog Day, rather, and Doncic couldn’t contain his emotion.
‘I thought I would show you a souvenir from that night,’ Doncic’s manager Lara Beth Seager, while hand delivering a cracked iPhone.
‘You hang up the phone the night you’re traded, and you threw it?’ Andrews asked.
‘Yes,’ Doncic smiled back. ‘Still works.’
The trade that sent Luka Doncic from Dallas to LA not only broke his heart, but his phone too
Doncic’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, was quick to produce the player’s phone for Andrews
Asked for his emotions in the moment, Doncic didn’t hold back: ‘Sadness, mostly. I was still in shock, like crazy shock. I felt like my heart was broken, honestly.’
The days that followed weren’t any better, as reports began circulating that the team brass was displeased with Doncic’s conditioning and defensive effort.
Harrison, who hasn’t spoken to Doncic since the trade, has downplayed his former star’s alleged conditioning issues, while telling reporters he made the deal to improve the team’s defense.
Doncic admittedly tries not to read the reports but has confessed he hopes to stop hearing Harrison’s comments about him.
‘I mean it is painful depends how you take it,’ Doncic said of the criticism he’s faced. ‘Mostly it came from Dallas, so I just didn’t want to talk back but I don’t really read that much stuff.
‘It’s just sad the way he’s talking right now,’ Doncic said of Harrison. ‘I never say anything bad about him and I just want to move on.’
Asked if he planned on retiring with Dallas, Doncic, who led the Mavs to the NBA Finals only a season ago, responded immediately: ‘Of course. Easy question.’
Doncic admits to throwing the phone in anger, but insists it still works despite the damage
Resting LeBron James and Luka Doncic look on during a game against the Bucks on March 20
Despite his initial horror over the deal, Doncic has picked up the pieces with the Lakers, who will host the Minnesota Timberwolves in their playoff opener on Saturday night in LA.
Best of all: He dropped 45 points in a win over the Mavericks in Dallas as his army of supporters chanted his name. With Andrews, Doncic described it as the ‘top’ moment of his career.
‘It was so special, with the fans and teammates just being there,’ Doncic said. ‘It was something I never seen in my life and it was just special, the love between me and the fans.’
Now Doncic hopes to stay in Los Angeles, where he’s learning to love playing alongside LeBron James.
‘He’s been great,’ Doncic said. ‘It’s LeBron it’s not going to be easy. He’s been letting me be me this whole time and it’s been amazing just to watch him and to play next to him.’
