Luka Doncic: «I thought I'd spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship»

Luka Dončić reappears on social media hours after the news, and he does so with a letter to say goodbye to the city of Dallas, which has supported him throughout the years. The Slovenian now heads to the Los Angeles Lakers after the franchise management decided to trade him in a deal that also involved Anthony Davis. "Dear Dallas," is the opening line. "Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I'd spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship. The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of. For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home. In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most. To all the organizations I've worked with throughout the Dallas community, thank you for letting me contribute to your important work and join you in bringing light to those who need it. As I start the next part of my basketball journey, I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from home. Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Luka Doncic in Dallas - Dončić entered the NBA in 2018 as the fifth overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks, who immediately traded him to Dallas in exchange for Trae Young. During his time with the Mavs, he played 422 regular-season games, averaging 28.6 points per game, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. He also played another 50 playoff games with even more incredible numbers: 30.9 points per game, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists. In the 2023/24 season, the Slovenian led the franchise to the NBA Finals, which they lost to the Boston Celtics 4-1. In the playoffs, he and his teammates faced and eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite spending just six and a half years with the franchise, Dončić is second in three-pointers made for the Mavs, fourth in rebounds, fifth in assists, sixth in points scored, and first in triple-doubles and points per game.