It’s been over eight months since one of the most shocking NBA trades turned the league upside down. On Feb. 2, the news broke that Luka Dončić was heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick.
It was a blockbuster move that left fans and players alike speechless, and even Dončić himself was caught off guard. Though he has shown his gratitude toward his new team, the emotional impact of that trade has always been hard for him to hide.
The basketball world still remembers the tearful moment when Dončić watched the Mavericks’ farewell tribute video. Fast forward to now, and Dončić has again opened up about his feelings toward his former team.
What Has Luka Dončić Said Regarding His Feelings About Playing Against His Former Team?
After the Lakers’ third preseason loss, which was a (113–104) defeat against the Phoenix Suns, Dončić was disappointed. The locker room mood was somber after the collapse. Los Angeles had led by seven points after the first quarter and by ten at halftime. But Phoenix erupted for 57 points in the second half and took control of the game.
Amid the gloom, one reporter asked Dončić a question about how he feels about facing his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in the Lakers’ next preseason matchup.
Dončić didn’t hesitate and said, “I mean, it’s obviously going to be something. Obviously, I’m going to feel something every game I play against them. I am kind of starting a new chapter here in this preseason. But again, it’s always going to be something.”
It was a candid yet straightforward response that spoke volumes. After all, the Mavericks weren’t just another team for Dončić. It was his home for seven years. He joined the NBA in 2018 after being selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and got traded to Dallas on draft night.
From that moment, he became the face of the franchise. In his tenure with the Mavericks, he posted 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 422 regular-season games. He also led Dallas to the 2024 NBA finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.
Now, as a Laker, Dončić is focused on a new chapter. During this offseason, he made news by losing 31 pounds, which projected his new seriousness in training. In addition, he also showed his skills in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, becoming the overall leading scorer with an average of 34.7 PPG.
Now in the preseason with the Lakers, Dončić has wasted no time reminding fans of his brilliance. In the game against the Suns, he scored 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in just 22 minutes of action.
Still, Los Angeles has yet to find their rhythm. But with another preseason test looming, which is against Dončić’s old squad, the Dallas Mavericks, on October 15, the game carries more than just basketball significance.