Just over two months ago, the Mavericks left the NBA in shock at the trade deadline. Dallas parted ways with their All-NBA PG Luka Doncic. They traded him to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
On Wednesday, April 9, the Lakers are on the road to face the Mavericks. It will be Luka Doncic’s first time back in Dallas since the shocking trade. The 26-year-old said he is going to be “very emotional” in his return to the American Airlines Arena.
Luka Doncic returns to Dallas on Wednesday to face the Mavericks
A homecoming showdown: Luka returns to Dallas to face off against his former team 🍿
Lakers vs. Mavs | 7:30 PM ET on ESPN 📺 pic.twitter.com/jsUznOTGTF
— ESPN (@espn) April 9, 2025
For the first 422 games of his career, Luka Doncic was a member of the Dallas Mavericks. On draft night in 2018, Dallas selected Trae Young but they swapped picks with Atlanta and acquired Luka Doncic. The Slovenian came into the NBA with years of professional experience under his belt. Doncic led Real Madrid to a EuroLeague Championship in 2017-18 and won EuroLeague MVP. The 26-year-old has been extremely polished since he entered the league.
Over seven seasons with Dallas, Luka Doncic put his skills on display. From 2019-20 to 2023-24, Doncic was first-team All-NBA for five consecutive years. The PG is one of, if not the best player at his position. That’s why it was appalling to see the Mavs trade their superstar PG. General manager Nico Harrison only spoke with Lakers’ Rob Pelinka about a trade. He failed to get Doncic’s true value back in the trade and Dallas has suffered because of it.
On Wednesday, the Lakers are on the road in Dallas. It will be Luka Doncic’s first game back since the team traded him at the deadline. The five-time all-star is “looking forward” to seeing his ex-teammates and being in Dallas. Speaking with Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Doncic said Wednesday is “going to be very emotional for me for sure.” The last time Doncic played the Mavs, he had 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.
