It is going to be quite the homecoming.
Luka Doncic is set to make his return to Dallas for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers since Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison shocked the NBA world and traded the superstar out of town.
Doncic immediately raised the Lakers’ ceiling to title contenders upon arrivingGettyIt was one of the most surprising moves and trades in modern professional sports history.
One that Mavericks fans still haven’t, and probably will never, forgive Harrison for.
However, Doncic’s former franchise seems they will be welcoming him back with open arms, as they have planned a tribute video for the five-time All-NBA superstar before the game.
They have also placed shirts on every seat inside American Airlines Center that say ‘Thank you for everything’ in Slovenian.
However, it was reported that Dallas wanted the shirts to have Doncic’s name and number on them, but NBA rules prohibit another franchise using another player’s name, image and likeness.
Hence the shirts with the Slovenian phrase.
It is a nice gesture, but one that will mostly fall on deaf ears to the Dallas fanbase and Doncic himself, who is still reportedly holding a grudge against the franchise, specifically the front office.
ESPN’s Tim McMahon dove deeper into the situation.
“The franchise plans to play a tribute video for Doncic, sources said, providing fans in the arena a final opportunity to savor all of his accomplishments in a Mavs uniform — and mourn not getting more,” McMahon wrote.
“Team sources told ESPN that the Mavs had also lined up lucrative sponsorship deals for Wednesday’s game, with multiple companies that Doncic endorses, but those deals fell apart after Doncic’s camp declined to give its blessing, pointedly noting that he now plays for the Lakers.”
Doncic has the Lakers in prime position to make a deep postseason runGettyView Tweet: twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
If anyone can hold a grudge, it’s the 26-year-old supernova.
Since getting the boot from Dallas, Doncic has transformed the Lakers into a title contender, teaming up with LeBron James and forming an extremely dangerous duo.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have plummeted with injuries destroying the entire roster.
Anthony Davis, the centerpiece they got back from the trade, was immediately injured in his first game as a Maverick.
Kyrie Irving then tore his ACL shortly after.
Dallas is currently the ten seed and will surely be bounced in the Play-In tournament.
Meanwhile, Doncic and James have the Lakers looking ready to make a deep postseason run.
And the scary part is?
Doncic is still figuring himself out on his team.
“I know it’s been two months or something, but still adapting a little bit,” Doncic, who is averaging 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists for the Lakers, said recently.
“It was a big change. But it’s getting better.”
For a player that is averaging nearly 30 points and a triple-double, the sky is the limit for someone who is still ‘adapting a little.’
The only thing scarier than a motivated Doncic, is a motivated Doncic out for blood.
And that’s exactly what he will be looking for, in his return to Dallas on Wednesday evening.
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