Luka Dončić’s father, Sasa Dončić, has expressed strong disapproval of the Dallas Mavericks’ handling of the blockbuster trade that sent his son to the Los Angeles Lakers. In a three-team deal finalized early Sunday morning, Dončić was traded in exchange for Anthony Davis, marking one of the most significant transactions in recent NBA history.
Speaking to Arena Sport Slovenija, Sasa Dončić did not hold back in his criticism of the Mavericks’ decision, calling it “very unfair.” He questioned the manner in which the organization handled the move and expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of transparency.
“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy. You don’t like this or that player, all good, I get it,” Sasa Dončić stated. “But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally.”
He further emphasized that Luka Dončić had given everything to the Mavericks franchise and deserved better treatment. “I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this,” he said. “As far as I know, he sacrificed himself enormously. And now there are stories being released that he wants to apologize for things that others are doing. I feel like this is very unfair from some individuals.”
Sasa Dončić also highlighted his son’s deep respect for the city of Dallas and the contributions he made both on and off the court. “Luka respected Dallas a lot,” he said. “He respected the whole city, helped children.” The Slovenian superstar had been the face of the Mavericks since being drafted in 2018, leading them to the NBA Finals last season.
The trade has sparked an outcry among Mavericks fans, many of whom viewed Dončić as the cornerstone of the franchise. Protests erupted outside the American Airlines Center following the announcement, with fans expressing disappointment over the move. Some even organized a mock funeral for the team’s championship hopes.
Despite the backlash, Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison defended the decision, stating that it was made in the best interest of the team’s long-term success. “We understand the emotional reaction, but we believe this move will position us for sustained competitiveness in the years ahead,” Harrison said.
As Luka Dončić prepares to begin the next chapter of his career with the Lakers, the fallout from the trade continues to dominate discussions in the NBA world. Whether the Mavericks will ultimately benefit from this high-profile exchange remains to be seen.