Luka Doncic says he wanted to spend his entire NBA career at the Dallas Mavericks in speaking for the first time since the shock trade that will see him join forces with LeBron James at the LA Lakers.
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The blockbuster three-team trade that sent Doncic from the Mavericks to the Lakers in a multiplayer deal including Anthony Davis has rocked the NBA world unlike anything in recent history.
Doncic took to social media in a heartfelt post to Mavericks fans less than 24 hours since the trade was completed.
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“Dear Dallas,” he began.
“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 entire 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 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 has never changed. Thank you for not only sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.
“To all the organisations 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. Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. —Luka.”
Fallout continues from NBA shock trade | 03:06
Doncic, who reportedly hasn’t returned Dallas general manager Nico Harrison’s calls or texts, is currently sidelined with a calf injury, so when he’ll make his Lakers debut is unknown.
He also re-tweeted the Lakers’ post announcing his arrival in an additional message, saying: “Grateful for this amazing opportunity. Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game, I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal — to win championships.”
LeBron James has also finally broken his silence.
The all-time great took to Instagram for the first time to acknowledge the bombshell trade made early Sunday morning (all times US).
It became, overnight, one of the most stunning sports transactions in recent memory.
James posted on his official Instagram Stories, “Love you my dog!! Go crazy over there!” he said of his longtime teammate Davis, who will be headed to Dallas. “Woe 4L! See you soon.”
James also had a sad face emoji placed in the middle of the photo as well as prayer, handshake and a salute emoji at the bottom.
Doncic was in line to sign the most lucrative contract in NBA history, before the shock trade affected that payday among many things in a colossal shake up of the landscape.
It came ahead of a crucial junction for the 25-year old Slovenian superstar, who was eligible for a five-year, $US345 million supermax contract extension with the Mavericks this off-season.
That would’ve been the biggest contract in NBA history — exceeding Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s current five-year, $US315 million deal.
However Doncic is now only entitled to pen a maximum five-year, $US229 million deal with LA, for the NBA system is designed to reward players that remain with the same team.
That’s a shortfall of $US116 million — or $A189m.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger explained how that “discount” would make it easier for the Lakers to attract future talent.
“He is no longer eligible to sign a gargantuan supermax this summer and can only extend for 30 per cent of the cap beginning in 2026-27. (He can sign this summer, but the first year of the new money comes in 2026-27.),” Hollinger wrote.
The five-time All-Star is currently contracted until the 2026/27 season — of which he has a $48 million player option.
Hollinger expects Doncic to sign a shorter extension with the Lakers this off-season before he’d become eligible for a bigger deal down the line.
“It seems likely that Doncic will sign a shorter extension this summer with a player option in 2028, which would allow him to re-sign after his 10th year of service, in the summer of 2028, for the full 35 per cent of the cap,” Hollinger added.
“If so, that effectively gives the Lakers roughly $8 million in extra cap wiggle room in the summers of 2026 and 2027 relative to what they would have paid Davis … right as James is likely gliding off into retirement.”
The Lakers and Mavericks have played each other once this season already, with the Dallas winning 118-97 on Jan. 7.
Later this month, the teams will battle in Los Angeles, marking Davis’ return to the city he helped bring home the 2020 NBA championship alongside James.
Doncic’s return to Dallas will be in April, which will be the third to last game of the regular season for L.A.
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