Luka Dončić's spirit shattered: He smashed his phone upon learning about the Los Angeles Lakers trade news.
Luka Dončić broke his phone in frustration when he found out about his trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers back in February. The Slovenian star admitted to ESPN's Malika Andrews that he was so upset he thought it was an April Fool's prank.
"It still works," he quipped during the interview on Friday. "I was actually in the bed. My TV wasn't working so I was on the iPad watching a movie, about to go to sleep."
Dončić described his initial feelings as "sadness mostly," adding he was still in shock. "I felt like my heart was broken, honestly." According to reports, the Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison, felt the team's defense would be significantly improved by the trade and that it was crucial to avoid a messy contract negotiation.
Dončić responded to Harrison's comments during the ESPN interview. "This is sad, the way he’s talking right now," he said. "I never say anything bad about him, and I just want to move on."
Although he has moved on, concerns over his diet reported by ESPN's Tim MacMahon were still "painful" for Dončić. "It depends how you take it. Mostly it came from Dallas, you know, so I just didn't want to talk back." Despite the challenges, Dončić has found success with the Lakers and had an emotional return to Dallas earlier this month, scoring 45 points and receiving a standing ovation from fans at American Airlines Center.
"I would say top one, just because it was so special," he explained. "With the fans, with teammates just being there, it was something I've never seen in my life. It was just special, the love between me and the fans." The Lakers are entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and will begin the first round at home against No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
- Despite the trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić still uses the iPad to watch sports, including basketball in the NBA.
- After finding out about his trade, Dončić admitted he felt "sadness mostly" and was still in shock, describing his heart as broken.
- Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison, expressed that the trade was made to significantly improve the team's defense and avoid a messy contract negotiation with Dončić.
- Despite the comments from Harrison and concerns over his diet reported by ESPN, Dončić returned to Dallas earlier this month, scoring 45 points and receiving a standing ovation, calling the experience "special" and "something I've never seen in my life."
