It’s hard to find someone more conflicted about the controversial Luka Dončić trade by the Dallas Mavericks than Dirk Nowitzki.
On one hand, Nowitzki is undeniably the greatest and most cherished player in Dallas history, having spent 21 years with the team. He still serves as an ambassador and advisor for the Mavericks and maintains a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
On the other hand, Nowitzki shared a special bond with Dončić, as they were both superstar players for the Mavericks. Dončić joined the team in Nowitzki’s final season, and the two developed a close relationship. Nowitzki even provided guidance to the young European star on navigating success in the same market.
The news of the trade was particularly tough for Nowitzki, especially since he was far away in the Maldives when it broke, receiving a flurry of messages on his phone.
Despite his conflicting emotions, Nowitzki decided to support Dončić by attending his Lakers debut, showing his solidarity with the young player during this new chapter in his career.
While the game was surreal for Nowitzki, it meant a lot to Dončić, who expressed his gratitude for the support.
Three weeks after the trade, the impact is still being felt in Dallas. Fans had high hopes for Dončić to follow in Nowitzki’s footsteps and bring success to the team, but the decision to trade him away for defensive reasons and concerns about his conditioning left many questioning the move.