Luka Dončić’s father has lashed out at the Dallas Mavericks after the blockbuster trade that sent his son to the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA fans were shocked over the weekend when news emerged of the trade that will send the 25-year-old to the Lakers, with Anthony Davis moving in the other direction to the Mavericks.
Related: The Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade is shocking, franchise-altering and bizarre
The trade came amid great secrecy with Dončić, Davis and LeBron James all reportedly in the dark about the move until news broke over the weekend. Reports have since indicated the Mavericks were unhappy with Dončić’s commitment to conditioning and his physical fitness. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison has said Dončić’s upcoming contract negotiations, as well as Davis’s superior defense also contributed to the trade.
In an interview with Arena Sport 1 in Dončić’s native Slovenia, his father, Sasa, voiced his displeasure with the way the Mavericks had handled the trade.
“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Dončić said. “You don’t like this or that player, all good – I get it. But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”
The Mavericks are the only NBA team Dončić has ever played for. His brilliant offense helped lead the Mavs to the NBA finals last season, he has five All-NBA First Team selections and is widely acknowledged as one of the best players in the world.
Sasa Dončić pointed to his son’s performance last season when disputing reports – almost certainly originating from within the Mavericks – about his son’s lack of physical fitness.
“[Luka’s conditioning] wasn’t even a problem last year since, I am saying again, one individual said he’s not fit enough,” Sasa Dončić said. “That he played, I don’t know, 100 games – practically 40 minutes with two or three players constantly on him.
“That he was beaten, and you say such things about him – I feel that this is very unfair from certain individuals. You traded him, stand by your actions but don’t look for excuses or alibis, that’s it.”
Luka Dončić was more measured in his own comments about the trade, although he did omit any mention of the Mavericks organization.
“For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the US for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home,” Dončić wrote in a message addressed to the city of Dallas. “In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
While not mentioning the team, he did thank Mavericks fans.
“As I start the next part of my basketball journey, I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from home. Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans,” he wrote.
In a separate message, Dončić said he was looking forward to playing for the Lakers. “Grateful for this amazing opportunity,” he wrote. “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.”
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