The Dallas Mavericks sent shockwaves through the basketball world when they traded their superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial move justified by General Manager Nico Harrison’s firm belief that “defense wins championships.” The closed-door press conference that followed only heightened the controversy, as only select reporters were invited, and no video was allowed.
Harrison’s remarks felt like a thinly veiled criticism of Doncic, whose defensive capabilities have often been scrutinized despite his generational offensive talent. In response, Doncic told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that Harrison’s words were “sad,” emphasizing that he never spoke poorly of his former GM.
Luka Doncic tells @malika_andrews about throwing his phone and breaking it when he found out he got traded to the Lakers 😳
“My heart was broken honestly.” 💔 pic.twitter.com/rfsIGlOaBC
— ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2025
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He also revealed his intention to finish his career in Dallas before the unexpected trade. While Mavericks fans continue to voice their frustration over the decision, the Lakers appear to be reaping the benefits. Doncic has propelled Los Angeles to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, solidifying their status as title contenders.