Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'It's just sad': Luka weighs in on Harrison's talk

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Friday, 18 April 2025 15:45

Luka Doncic says he still hasn't spoken to Dallas Mavericks president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

But Doncic has heard what Harrison has said in justifying his reasoning for the deal, and it has disappointed the 26-year-old superstar after spending the first 6 seasons of his career in Dallas.

"It's just sad the way he's talking right now," Doncic said of Harrison during a sit-down interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews that aired Friday. "I never say anything bad about him, and I just want to move on. The fans, my ex-teammates, I'll always keep at heart. It's time for me to move on from there."

Earlier this week, Harrison and new Mavs CEO Rick Welts invited a select group of Dallas-based reporters for an hour-long media session to revisit the trade that sent Doncic to L.A. as part of a three-team trade that landed Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick for Dallas.

Harrison said he had "no regrets" about the deal and repeatedly said the motivation for the trade was believing that "defense wins championships" -- insinuating Doncic struggled on that end of the court.

Shortly after the trade, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the Mavs had "constant conditioning concerns" about Doncic, according to sources, and that his "lack of discipline regarding his diet" had contributed to his injury issues.

Doncic told ESPN he was aware of the criticism but has kept his focus forward.

"I mean it's painful, depending on how you take it," Doncic said. "It mostly came from Dallas, so I didn't want to talk back. But I don't really read that much stuff. I'm just trying to focus on my journey."

During the interview, Doncic showed Andrews his cell phone that is still damaged from him throwing it across the room when he first heard of the trade.

"I was actually in the bed," Doncic said when he first heard the news. "My TV wasn't working so I was on my iPad watching a movie about to go to sleep. First thing I said, probably three times, was, 'Is this [an] April 1st [joke]?'"

And his initial feelings?

"Sadness, mostly," Doncic said. "I was still in shock. Like, crazy shock. I felt like my heart was broken, honestly."

With more than two months passed since joining the Lakers, Doncic admitted he is "getting used to it."

When asked if he intended to play his entire career with the Mavs, Doncic told ESPN, "Of course. That's an easy question."

But now that he is in L.A., on the eve of the Lakers opening their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), he said he is finding a new home with the team.

Doncic, who is owed $46 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for 2026-27, will be eligible to sign a long-term contract extension with the Lakers this summer. As of Aug. 2, L.A. can offer Doncic up to a four-year, $229 million contract, according to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks.

When asked by ESPN if staying in L.A. is what Doncic wants to do, his answer was succinct and direct.

"Yes," Doncic said.

Read 19 times

Soccer

Bundesliga history made with 8 goals in 1st half

Bundesliga history made with 8 goals in 1st half

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnion Berlin and VfB Stuttgart made history on Saturday as the firs...

Inter Miami wins in front of record Crew crowd

Inter Miami wins in front of record Crew crowd

Benjamin Cremaschi scored on a diving header in the 30th minute and Inter Miami beat the Columbus Cr...

Barça net 'unbelievable' win, fear for Lewandowski

Barça net 'unbelievable' win, fear for Lewandowski

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona coach Hansi Flick lauded Barcelona's "unbelievable" comeb...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Redick: Wolves' 'physicality' caught us off guard

Redick: Wolves' 'physicality' caught us off guard

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- After pushing themselves in the play-in tournament t...

Knicks go on 21-0 run as miscues tank Pistons

Knicks go on 21-0 run as miscues tank Pistons

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The young, upstart Detroit Pistons, who had more than t...

Baseball

Yanks' Williams blows 4-run lead; ERA up to 9.00

Yanks' Williams blows 4-run lead; ERA up to 9.00

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTAMPA, Fla. -- Three-and-a-half weeks into his New York Yankees car...

Berrios confronts Raleigh, suspects pitch tipping

Berrios confronts Raleigh, suspects pitch tipping

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- Right-hander Jose Berrios suspected Seattle Mariners cat...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated