Although Lakers star Luka Dončić has now faced his former team, he admits it will take time to fully process the emotions of being traded.
Tuesday’s Lakers-Mavericks matchup was packed with emotional moments beyond the game itself.
A heartfelt tribute to Anthony Davis, reactions from LeBron James and Austin Reaves to returning former Lakers, and most notably, Dončić going up against the team that sent him away all added to the drama.
All eyes were on Luka—fans wanted to see how he played, how he interacted with his former teammates, and whether he would acknowledge Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who was present and seated at the scorer’s table during warmups.
Dončić didn’t so much as glance in Harrison’s direction before going on to record his first triple-double as a Laker in the victory.
After the game, when asked if seeing his former team brought any closure, Dončić responded candidly.
“I mean, the closure is going to take a while, I think,” Dončić said. “It’s not ideal, but like I said, I’m glad this game is over. It’s a lot of emotions, but we go little by little and every day is better.”
Trades happen often in the NBA, but Dončić’s situation is almost unheard of. His departure came as a shock—just months after leading Dallas to the NBA Finals, at the peak of his career, and mere days before the trade deadline.
No superstar has ever been dealt in such a manner, only to then face his former team just three weeks later.
While playing for the Lakers—a team he called “one of the greatest clubs in the world”—is an enviable position, the emotional toll of his sudden exit from Dallas is understandable. Adjusting will take time.
Time, victories, and the love of Lakers fans will undoubtedly help Dončić settle into this new chapter. The California beaches might not hurt, either.
He didn’t choose to be in Los Angeles, but as time passes, the hope is that closure will come—and with it, a new love for life as a Laker.
