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Dirk Nowitzki was enjoying a family vacation in the Maldives when he received a wave of messages about one of the biggest trades in NBA history-Luka Doncic was heading to the Los Angeles Lakers. Like many basketball fans, the Dallas Mavericks icon was stunned.
"When I saw the news, I was actually on the other side of the world. My phone just starts blowing up left and right, and then I looked on social media and I think I was as shocked and surprised as everyone was," Nowitzki said during an appearance on 96.7 The Ticket in Plano, Texas.
A mentor's unwavering
Nowitzki, who played his entire 21-season career with the Mavericks and won the NBA title in 2011, has maintained a close relationship with Doncic since their lone season together in 2018-19. The Hall of Famer revealed that he immediately reached out to the 25-year-old star to check in on him after the unexpected trade.
The bond between the two was strong enough that when Doncic invited Nowitzki to his Lakers home debut on Feb. 10 against the Utah Jazz, he didn't hesitate.
"I felt like I had to him," Nowitzki said. "I've tried to mentor him, I've tried to help him as much as I can the last few years, and he's a good kid. So I felt like I had to go out there and him in this new chapter."
Even with his iration for Doncic, Nowitzki itted that seeing him in Lakers colors felt "weird" and "surreal." The Mavericks legend, known for his loyalty to Dallas, made it clear where his true allegiances lie.
"At the end of the day, you know I'll never be a Lakers fan, but I'll always be a Luka fan," Nowitzki said.
A trade with major consequences
While Doncic begins his new journey in Los Angeles alongside LeBron James, the Mavericks' biggest acquisition from the trade, Anthony Davis, has had a rough start in Dallas.
The star forward played just one game before suffering a left adductor strain, which is expected to sideline him for at least two more weeks.
As the NBA season progresses, all eyes will be on Doncic's fit with the Lakers and whether the Mavericks can stay competitive in his absence.