“It’s just sad in the way he’s talking right now,” Doncic said when talking about Harrison. “I never said anything bad about him, and I just want to move on.”
LOS ANGELES — One day before Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves to start their NBA postseason run, the former Dallas Mavericks superstar sat down with ESPN for his first extensive interview since the North Texas franchise traded him , making clear how he feels about Mavs general manager Nico Harrison’s recent comments and if he would have finished his career in Dallas.
ESPN sports reporter Malika Andrews interviewed Doncic during NBA Today on Friday before that night’s Play-In games got underway.
On February 1, the Mavs traded Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. This caused a huge reaction from around the sports world in the days, weeks and months following the unprecedented move.
While Doncic has spoken to the media during pregame and postgame press conferences since the trade, he had not sat down for an interview until Friday.
Before the interview began, Doncic’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, came into the shot to show Andrews the cell phone Doncic was using when he found out about the trade. She called it a “souvenir” from that night.
Doncic then explained to Andrews that he threw his phone when he learned about the trade.
“It still works,” Doncic said with a smile when asked if he still uses it.
While Doncic has played 28 games with Los Angeles so far, he admitted the phrase “LA Laker Luka Doncic” sounds weird to him and that he’s trying to get used to it.
Doncic was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 before the team traded him in February. During those six-and-a-half seasons with the team, Doncic was selected to five NBA All-Star games and earned five All-NBA First Team selections. He also took the team to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals.
On the night of the trade, Doncic said his TV wasn’t working, so he was in bed watching a movie, about to go to sleep.
He said he had to ask himself multiple times, “If it’s April 1,” once he saw the trade alert.
“I was still in shock, like, crazy shock,” Doncic said. “I felt like my heart was broken, honestly.”
On April 9, Donic returned to the American Airlines Center to play against his former team for the first time since the trade. The Slovenian superstar scored a game-high 45 points as the Lakers clinched a playoff spot with the team’s 112-97 win.
Doncic told Andrews he ranked that game as the “top one” in terms of his all-time performances.
“It was so special,” Doncic said. “You know, with the fans, with teammates. Just being there, it was something I’d never seen in my life. It was just special, the love between me and the fans.”
Earlier in the week, Mavs general manager Nico Harrison talked to the media in a closed-door meeting with reporters, making clear that he doesn’t regret the trade.
Harrison spoke alongside Mavs CEO Rick Welts, addressing the trade, its fallout, and the franchise’s future.
When asked if he believes that the Mavs team that went to the Finals last year with Luka as a centerpiece could continue to contend for championships, Harrison answered, “I’ll say this again. Defense wins championships.”
Andrews asked Doncic about this meeting and this comment.
“It’s just sad in the way he’s talking right now,” Doncic said. “I never said anything bad about him, and I just want to move on.”
Doncic said Harrison didn’t speak to him the night of the trade. He also said he hasn’t spoken to Harrison since the trade.
Andrews’ final question for Doncic related to the Mavericks was one many fans have been wondering: “Was your intention to finish your career in Dallas?”
“Of course, that’s an easy question,” Doncic said.
The Mavericks play the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Play-In at 8:30 p.m. CT on Friday. The winner will be the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs and face off against the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
