Giannis Antetokounmpo initially sympathized with Luka Dončić after the Dallas Mavericks made the unexpected decision to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Dončić, widely seen as a player who would spend his entire career with the team that drafted him, was sent to Los Angeles along with Maxi Kleber, while the Mavericks acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz facilitated the deal.
However, Antetokounmpo found a positive side to the trade, believing it benefits European basketball. He sees Dončić’s move as an opportunity for Europe to have a superstar as the face of the NBA.
“Now I just love it [the trade]. You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream. But again, I wish both teams the best of luck, wish all the players best of luck with their journey moving forward,” he stated.
Despite his excitement about the potential for European players in big markets, Antetokounmpo has previously expressed his desire to stay in Milwaukee rather than join a large-market team.
His initial reaction to Dončić’s trade was simple but telling:“It is a cold world.” 🥶🌎
Expanding on this sentiment after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he acknowledged that NBA players are constantly evaluated, and he doesn’t take anything for granted. He emphasized that the league is a business, reminding people that if teams can trade star players for strategic reasons, players should also have the right to make decisions that benefit their careers.
“When teams make moves they believe will help them win, and when a player chooses to go elsewhere for a better chance at a championship, we shouldn’t crucify them, call them disloyal, or say they let people down,” he explained.
