Four-year-old Luka Raymundo was devastated by the trade of his namesake, Luka Doncic, from the Mavericks to the Lakers.
MELISSA, Texas — Four-year-old Luka Raymundo is still processing the trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sitting at a table with crayons in hand, Luka draws pictures for his hero — the former number 77 for the Dallas Mavericks. “I feel angry and sad,” he said while writing ‘Thank you, Luka’ on a lined sheet of paper.
His father, Jesse Raymundo, is a lifelong Mavericks fan and season ticket holder. “That was supposed to be our player that we were going to watch for a really long time. And now he’s out. He’s a Laker,” Jesse said.
Jesse recalled the moment they chose the name ‘Luka’ for their second child.
“I was like, ‘Hey, I really like that name Luka,’” he said. “And she’s like, ‘Is that because of the guy that we’re watching on TV?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes.’”
For seven years of watching the young player grow, the Raymundo family accumulated dozens of Doncic memorabilia, including jerseys and shoes.
“You get attached,” Jesse says. “We’re confused. We don’t understand it. But, you know, you just kind of bleed your colors.” Through the shock, they say they will remain loyal to the team.
Despite the trade, Jesse affirmed that one Luka will remain in Dallas. “I won’t trade him. I won’t let Nico trade him,” he joked about his son.
As little Luka colored on his paper, he remarked, “He looks better in blue.”
