Completely unexpected when it happened, the February 2025 trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers is still generating ripples across the NBA.
Commissioner Adam Silver recently opened up about his reaction to the trade, characterizing it as something of a blow to Doncic-and saying he hoped the star would use the moment to reset.
In a recent profile, Silver didn’t mince words: “Putting aside the merits of the trade, you could argue that it was a bit of a kick in the ass to Luka.”
He went on to say of Doncic’s reaction, “He didn’t try to sugarcoat this trade.” Even more, Silver observed that Luka was in “a bit of a funk for a while, because it was probably the first true professional setback of his career.”
Still, the Commissioner believes the trade has become more than just a transactional shock. “Another player could have said, ‘Oh, now I’m part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization,'” Silver says.
“He didn’t try to hide his disappointment, and I think he was in a bit of a funk for a while … And I was hoping personally for him that he would ultimately see this as an opportunity to reset.”
Understanding the trade’s fallout and Doncic’s response
The trade itself was monumental: Doncic, a perennial All-NBA selection and the face of the Mavericks, was swapped in a deal headlined by Anthony Davis coming to Dallas.
The deal also involved other players and draft picks. It shocked fans-and even those within the Mavericks front office-because Doncic had been considered untradeable and deeply tied to the identity of the franchise.
Doncic’s career in Dallas was marked by brilliance: multiple All-NBA First Team nods, an NBA Finals appearance, and a reputation as a player capable of carrying a team.
But even stars are not immune to disappointment. When Silver spoke, he made clear the emotional side of the transition mattered: Doncic didn’t hide how much the move affected him. That authenticity, Silver believes, is part of how Doncic is handling the change.
Why did Doncic leave the Mavs?
Media reports suggest that criticism of Doncic’s conditioning and concerns about team chemistry played into Dallas’s decision to move him. Meanwhile, analysts have pointed out that the Lakers have embraced Doncic as a cornerstone, giving him space to evolve under heightened expectations and alongside talent like LeBron James.
In the aftermath, Doncic has responded with performance. Despite a challenging adjustment period, his stats in L.A. have often been dominant, balancing scoring, playmaking, and leadership in pressure moments.
While the Lakers have yet to turn a trade into a championship, the signals are that Doncic views this shift as more than just a change of scenery-it’s a chance to redefine his legacy.
For fans in both Dallas and Los Angeles, opinions remain sharply divided. Mavericks supporters wonder if the price for Davis and other assets was too high; Lakers fans hope this trade catapults the franchise back into title contention.
In this tension, Silver’s remarks offer a rare moment of empathy: acknowledging the human side of commerce in sports.
In many ways, the trade will be judged over time-not just by stats or wins and losses, but by how Doncic handles this redirection in his career.
For now, the “kick” he received seems to have motivated him. If he continues on this path, the reset he-and the league-wanted may turn into something bigger than anyone anticipated.
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