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dave mcmenamin
OKLAHOMA CITY–After one of the most lopsided losses of his career, Los Angeles Lakers star luka doncic He was asked to comment on orchestrating what many consider one of the most lopsided trades in league history, the deal that sent him from there to L.A. dallas mavericksDallas president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison, who first approached Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka with the trade idea in January, was fired by Mavs governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday,
following LA 121-92 loss till oklahoma city thunder Doncic was asked about his reaction to his dismissal Wednesday night.
“The city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they will always have a special place in my heart,” Doncic said. “I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn’t. So, that will always be a special place to me. I’ll always call it home. But right now, I’m focused on the Lakers and trying to move forward. But obviously, there will always be a part of me there.
“But I’m just trying to move forward and focus on what I’m doing here.”
A reporter asked if Doncic could envision returning to play for the Mavericks now that Harrison no longer works for the organization.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Lakers,” Doncic said. “No further comment.”
Harrison shocked the basketball world in February when he traded Doncic to the Lakers in a deal centered on anthony davis, max christie And L.A.’s 2029 first-round pick. maxi kleberThose who were included by the Mavericks to create a salary series were also asked for their reaction to the Harrison news following the Lakers’ morning shootaround session.
“It’s a fast business, man,” Kleber said. “Players, GMs, coaches, everybody. So, always have to be ready for the next step.”
Doncic, who was acquired by the Mavericks in a trade atlanta hawks On draft night 2018, he became Rookie of the Year and has been a five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, one-time scoring champion and was named MVP of the 2024 Western Conference Finals with his former team – all at the age of 25.
He had a great start for LA this season – averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists in his first seven games – before struggling mightily against the defending champion Thunder.
Doncic finished with a season-low 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting (1-for-7 on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 turnovers against the Thunder. The Lakers were outscored by 31 points in the 33 minutes that Doncic was on the court, and their 30-point deficit at the break was the most they had ever suffered in Doncic’s eight-year career.
“It definitely wasn’t our best game,” Doncic said. “Probably one of the worst seasons this season, but they did a great job. I think they all did a great job on me. They’re champions for a reason, so they showed that today. I think we need to be more prepared. Obviously, it starts with me. I need to be much better than that and just figure that out.” [it] Outside.”
Oklahoma City went 12–1, best in the league. The Lakers, 1-2 on their current five-game road trip, which ends with back-to-backs in New Orleans and Milwaukee, are No. 5 in the West with an 8-4 record.
“It’s not worrisome,” Doncic said when asked about the gap being substantial between the two teams to start the season. “I think it’s a big motivation… They were champions for a reason and that’s a big motivation. They started the year even better [than last season]I think so too. It’s a big motivation to see how they play and try to stop them.”
